Definition of DETRIMENTAL

Choose the Right Synonym for detrimental

Adjective

pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. noxious chemical fumes deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. a diet found to have deleterious effects detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

HABs are detrimental to the health of the people and marine ecosystems, as well as local coastal economies who rely on revenue from fishing and tourism, the NOAA says. — Michelle Lou, CNN, "All 21 of Mississippi's beaches are closed because of toxic algae," 7 July 2019 However, research shows that travel restrictions during epidemics are ultimately detrimental, keeping healthcare workers and vital supplies from reaching the region to contain the outbreak. — Emily Baumgaertner, latimes.com, "As Ebola outbreak rages, the world just watches. Some call it 'malignant neglect'," 2 July 2019 Don’t interject something that’s going to be detrimental to the first thing. — Chevall Pryce, Houston Chronicle, "First responders warn citizens to be careful with fireworks," 28 June 2019 There are several monstrously overgrown trash piles that are detrimental to the health of locals, and outright deadly for people who get caught in garbage avalanches. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, "This Monstrous Trash Pile Is Killing Locals—and Only Getting Bigger," 10 June 2019 If there are folks working at Risley who MGT determines are detrimental to the important mission of getting these kids caught up to grade level, then the board should consider their termination and be reasonable about the decision. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, "Editorial: State is right to intervene when schools keep failing kids," 7 June 2019 Noise can be both beneficial and detrimental, but which quality predominates? — Quanta Magazine, "Inside the Din, Cells Fight Noise With Noise," 22 May 2014 Karlsson is a luxury who is not necessary for the Sharks to win the Stanley Cup, and his salary has already had a detrimental effect on the team’s composition. — Jacob Kahn-samuelson, The Mercury News, "Opinion: CON – Sharks sacrificing team balance, flexibility for Karlsson," 22 June 2019 Warrington argues that attitude changes in America—our new focus on meditation and yoga, healthy food, and generally mindful practices—have evolved into an awareness of the detrimental effects that alcohol can have on the body. — Anna Ben Yehuda Rahmanan, Fortune, "Alcohol-Free Bars Caught on in the U.S. and U.K. But Can They Go Global?," 22 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detrimental.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.