detrimental
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for detrimental, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Causing harm or damage.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use detrimental
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin detrimentalis, from Latin detrimentum ("harm").
Full origin of detrimental →Frequently asked questions
What does “detrimental” mean?
The word “detrimental” means causing harm or damage. In plain terms, harmful or damaging.
How do you pronounce “detrimental”?
“Detrimental” is pronounced deht-rih-MEHN-tuhl (/ˌdɛtɹɪˈmɛntəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “detrimental” in a sentence?
Here is “detrimental” used in a sentence: “Smoking is detrimental to your health.”
What part of speech is “detrimental”?
“Detrimental” is an adjective.
Where does the word “detrimental” come from?
The word “detrimental” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin detrimentalis, from Latin detrimentum ("harm").
Is “detrimental” a common word?
“Detrimental” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between "detrimental" and "harmful"?
"Detrimental" and "harmful" both describe something that causes damage, but "detrimental" often carries a more formal tone and is frequently used to describe effects on abstract things like health, reputation, or performance. "Harmful" is more general and can apply just as easily to physical injury. In many contexts the two words are interchangeable.
Is "detrimental" typically followed by "to"?
Yes, "detrimental" is almost always followed by "to" plus a noun, as in "detrimental to health" or "detrimental to the environment." This is the standard grammatical pattern for the word and should not be replaced with "for" or "on."
Is "detrimental" a formal word?
Yes, "detrimental" is generally considered more formal than everyday alternatives like "harmful" or "bad," and it appears often in academic, legal, and professional writing. In casual conversation, speakers are more likely to use simpler words to express the same idea.