1
as in harm
something that causes loss or pain
opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disadvantage
the negative result caused by something that creates difficulty for achieving success
the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detriment
There’s nothing wrong with helping and supporting adult children, but the problem is when people do it to their own detriment, Healy said.
—
Medora Lee, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
American network television, which has long been seen as among the most committed to free expression in the western world, sometimes to its detriment, could be set for a serious reshaping if monologues like Kimmel’s no longer pass muster.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
The issue has come under heated debate as opponents of less frequent reporting argue the lack of transparency would be a detriment to investors, especially retail investors who don't have as ample resources as Wall Street institutions.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s something that the left has always done, to great detriment to themselves and the movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Medora Lee, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
American network television, which has long been seen as among the most committed to free expression in the western world, sometimes to its detriment, could be set for a serious reshaping if monologues like Kimmel’s no longer pass muster.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
The issue has come under heated debate as opponents of less frequent reporting argue the lack of transparency would be a detriment to investors, especially retail investors who don't have as ample resources as Wall Street institutions.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s something that the left has always done, to great detriment to themselves and the movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
-
This has kept geolocation deals from causing severe economic harm compared to revenue, multiple people at betting companies told Sportico.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The school once contributed to the eradication of smallpox and the development of the polio vaccine, led breakthroughs linking air pollution to lung and heart disease, and helped demonstrate the harms of trans fats.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Part of the new legislative package is also an effort to combat home appraisal discrimination, which has often put non-white households at a disadvantage.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The first strategy has the disadvantage that some tumor cells develop resistance and thus do not respond to the medication.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Six bystanders injured during a 2022 police shooting in Denver will share nearly $20 million in damages after a jury ruled in their favor, their attorneys announced on Friday.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Cesium-137 is a radioactive byproduct of nuclear fission and, while not detected in the current Aquastar shrimp lots, exposure to the substance over time can increase cancer risk and cause cellular damage.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This includes reasonable expenses, such as meals, toiletries and lodging for trips delayed more than six hours or requiring an overnight stay.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Payments to that company accounted for nearly two-thirds of the party’s expenses during the period.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Blaylock was charged with felony injury to a child with serious bodily injury, court records show.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Bronny James missed the Lakers' preseason finale against the Kings, listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share