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
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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
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Recent Examples of detriment
Do keep in mind that Mercury is in detriment when transiting this Water sign, which isn’t ideal for problem-solving and logistics.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Here’s why Powell isn’t bothered—maybe to his detriment.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
As in, ready to believe things to your detriment.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Narrow, cluttered sidewalks are an obvious detriment to downtown’s walkability and general appeal, but instead of working to ameliorate those problems the city has decided — for a relatively modest payment — to further aggravate them.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Here’s why Powell isn’t bothered—maybe to his detriment.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
As in, ready to believe things to your detriment.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Narrow, cluttered sidewalks are an obvious detriment to downtown’s walkability and general appeal, but instead of working to ameliorate those problems the city has decided — for a relatively modest payment — to further aggravate them.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
-
Enacting the bill without a grace period has caused undue harm to residents, Johnson said.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Unfortunately, this increase wasn’t enough to undo all the harm inflicted by decades of chronic disinvestment.—
Cordell Cleare,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gittens also had a further disadvantage.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There were other theories as to why that might be, including the possibility that there was some evolutionary disadvantage to the Neanderthal X chromosome in humans.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Within hours, satellite images circulated in Israeli media appearing to show damage to a compound associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly struck in the opening wave.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Feb. 2026
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O'Herrin is less worried about damage to the pipes than the possibility of having to cut a tree down to repair or replace the sewer line.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Interviewed before the store closing, chief executive officer Tres Lund said last year that an increase in store security expenses and decrease in customer visits had left operating costs outpacing sales.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Feb. 2026
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Lauderhill needs to reduce payroll and benefits to employees and set a budget that will include funds for road improvements, public safety and other ordinary municipal expenses.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Powell was added to the Heat’s injury report on Thursday morning, with the team listing him as questionable for the contest because of right groin soreness.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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The man who was wounded at the store is 54-year-old Anthony Brown, who remained hospitalized Thursday with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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