detriment

det·ri·ment

noun \ˈde-trə-mənt\

Definition of DETRIMENT

1

: injury, damage <did hard work without detriment to his health>

2

: a cause of injury or damage <a detriment to progress>

Examples of DETRIMENT

1. <opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large>
2. <the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot>

Origin of DETRIMENT

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin detrimentum, from deterere to wear away, impair, from de- + terere to rub — more at throw

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DETRIMENT

Synonyms

affliction, damage, injury, harm, hurt

Antonyms

advantage, favor

Related Words

disservice, injustice, outrage, wrong; affront, dart, indignity, insult, offense (or offence); beating, crippling, mayhem, mutilation; defacement, disability, disablement, disfigurement, impairment; lesion; rupture, strain; abrasion, chafe, scrape, scratch; boo-boo, bruise, contusion, swelling, wound; bump, concussion; cut, gash, laceration; burn, scald, scar, scathe, sear

Near Antonyms

healing, recovery; cure, fix, remedy