detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, damage

did hard work without detriment to their health

He puts all his time into his career to the detriment of [= in a way that is harmful to] his personal life.

2

: a cause of injury or damage

a detriment to progress

Synonyms of detriment

• harm
• damage
• injury

Examples of detriment in a Sentence

opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large

the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot

Recent Examples on the Web

There's a lot of debate right now about the benefits and detriments of social media. —Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

During the album’s release weekend, some fans batted around the idea that rappers RM, Suga, and j-hope had taken control of the sound of the group, to its detriment. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026

The rule has also drawn criticism for its similarity to MLS’ Designated Player Rule, with some believing a regulation that only increases pay for the most elite players is a detriment to roster-building. —Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Moreover, the current mayor has resorted to race-baiting, further dividing the city, and has pursued a socialist agenda to Chicago’s detriment and its taxpayers. —Juan Rangel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dētrīmentum "reduction in quantity, diminishment, harm, damage," from dētrī-, variant stem of dēterere "to wear away, rub off, lessen, impair" + -mentum -ment — more at detritus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing detriment

• to one's detriment
• without detriment to

Kids Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

: injury or damage or its cause

Legal Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, loss

also : the cause of an injury or loss

2

: a giving up of a thing or mode of conduct to which one is entitled that constitutes consideration for a contract

called also legal detriment

detrimental

ˌde-trə-ˈmen-təl 

adjective

detrimentally adverb