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 WebAlyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 5 Apr. 2024
Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detrimental 
Adjective
Performing static stretches before a workout might relax the muscles in a way that's detrimental to producing rapid force right after.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 5 Apr. 2024
Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detrimental
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.
Dictionary Entries Near detrimental
Cite this Entry
“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detrimental. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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