Definition of detrimentnext
1
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 Keep in mind, though, that options such as the X3’s M Sport package can enhance handling performance at the detriment to ride smoothness. ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 Everyone’s orgasming and no one’s complete, especially — to the series’ greatest detriment — Carol. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 Almost all of my vintage coats have fur collars and to not be able to sell them because of a collar is a huge detriment to my shop. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2026 Their lack of 3-point shooting wasn’t a detriment for 38 games, but became a gigantic problem in the 39th. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
  • No harm, no foul — as long as the commission bosses back the changes, Zelden said.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Many hospital systems in Connecticut have stopped suing their patients over unpaid bills, stung by criticism about the harm caused by aggressive collection tactics.
    Noam N. Levey, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The era of the concert hall was at hand, and the same qualities that had made the mandolin attractive at home now put it at a disadvantage.
    Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Those will be difficult headwinds for Whatley to combat, Bitzer and Roberts both said, especially since members of the sitting president’s party already tend to be at a disadvantage in competitive midterm elections.
    Mary Ramsey April 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What first appeared to be a common job-interview phishing campaign ultimately revealed a hack so widespread and easy to replicate that investigators fear irreversible damage.
    Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Baldoni’s legal team argues the ruling should limit which witnesses and evidence are presented, while Lively’s team maintains a broader group is still necessary to prove retaliation and damages.
    Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some small businesses can handle bookkeeping with spreadsheets, DIY invoicing and ad-hoc expense approvals.
    Dana Miranda, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
  • That same month, the price of Bitcoin — in which most of Borhanian’s life savings was invested, money that was covering much of the group’s expenses at that time — cratered.
    Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Peavey previously pleaded guilty to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and the special allegation of personal infliction of great bodily injury.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Manson later left the game with an upper-body injury and the former Ducks defenseman did not return.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on detriment

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster