det·ri·men·tal
ˌde-trə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
: an undesirable or harmful person or thing
Synonyms
Examples of detrimental in a Sentence
Adjective
In context, the word "corruption" summarized the opinion (set forth in some of the books mentioned in the review) that, as a general matter, the growing financial dependence of the medical profession on the pharmaceutical industry is profoundly detrimental to sound public, medical, and scientific policy.
—
New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Healthy people can harbor Klebsiella to no detrimental effect; those with debilitating conditions, like liver disease or severe diabetes, or those recovering from major surgery, are most likely to fall ill.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 & 18 Aug. 2008
Unfortunately, tourism, along with dynamite fishing and poaching, has proved detrimental to the park's coral reefs, mangrove complexes, coastal wetlands and marine species.
—Nature Conservancy Landmarks, Fall 2003
there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment
New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
Healthy people can harbor Klebsiella to no detrimental effect; those with debilitating conditions, like liver disease or severe diabetes, or those recovering from major surgery, are most likely to fall ill.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 & 18 Aug. 2008
Unfortunately, tourism, along with dynamite fishing and poaching, has proved detrimental to the park's coral reefs, mangrove complexes, coastal wetlands and marine species.
—Nature Conservancy Landmarks, Fall 2003
there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment
Recent Examples on the WebEssence, 20 Sep. 2023
The loss of Victims of Crime Act funding would have a detrimental impact on child advocacy centers across the state, with up to 30%-50% of child advocacy centers' operational budgets funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act, the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas said.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Using off-brand Viagra or ones that are expired but resold by companies can be detrimental to your health (not to mention a waste of money)!
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
But experts say what North Korea gets in return from Russia could be even more detrimental to the interest of the U.S. and its allies.
—Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2023
Not doing so, Hartog said, has tax implications that are detrimental to the senator.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
According to Steve, organizational silos have a detrimental effect on operations and the success of organizations.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Even a small loss in wages can result in larger, detrimental effects for the entire household.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
An expansion to recreational would have detrimental effects on children’s health, community safety and workforce development.
—Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 28 Aug. 2023
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Adjective
Most of the time fast fashion is to blame for most of the industry’s contribution to polluting our planet, but designers in general can sometimes use practices that are overall detrimental to the Earth.
—Essence, 20 Sep. 2023
The loss of Victims of Crime Act funding would have a detrimental impact on child advocacy centers across the state, with up to 30%-50% of child advocacy centers' operational budgets funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act, the Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas said.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Using off-brand Viagra or ones that are expired but resold by companies can be detrimental to your health (not to mention a waste of money)!
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
But experts say what North Korea gets in return from Russia could be even more detrimental to the interest of the U.S. and its allies.
—Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2023
Not doing so, Hartog said, has tax implications that are detrimental to the senator.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
According to Steve, organizational silos have a detrimental effect on operations and the success of organizations.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Even a small loss in wages can result in larger, detrimental effects for the entire household.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
An expansion to recreational would have detrimental effects on children’s health, community safety and workforce development.
—Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 28 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detrimental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near detrimental
Cite this Entry
“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detrimental. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
detrimental
adjective
det·ri·men·tal
ˌde-trə-ˈment-ᵊl
: harmful
detrimental effects of drug abuse
detrimentally
adverb
-ᵊl-ē
More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental
Nglish: Translation of detrimental for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of detrimental for Arabic Speakers
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