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
The fact is, it is widely believed Rockies hitters and pitchers having to go back and forth between sea level and a mile high is among the biggest detriments to their success.
—
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Working from behind was a detriment all night for the Diablos, who eventually pulled within 19-18.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Zuccarello — who had three assists in his only appearance of the series — skated on his own Friday morning but has not been cleared to play, which has been a notable detriment to the Minnesota’s power play, scoreless in the past three games.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
The American Hospital Association is good at its job to the detriment of its members and patients.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Working from behind was a detriment all night for the Diablos, who eventually pulled within 19-18.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Zuccarello — who had three assists in his only appearance of the series — skated on his own Friday morning but has not been cleared to play, which has been a notable detriment to the Minnesota’s power play, scoreless in the past three games.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
The American Hospital Association is good at its job to the detriment of its members and patients.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
-
For a child facing daily harm, even a short delay can feel like an eternity.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Several go-to cleaning tools and shortcuts — steam mops on the wrong floors, pressure washers used too aggressively, magic erasers on finished surfaces, harsh deck cleaners and neglected HVAC filters — can quietly do more harm than good.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The United States’ withdrawal from the WHO, which took effect in January, has put American public health officials at a disadvantage, says David Larsen, PhD, professor and chair of the public health department at Syracuse University.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
-
Instead, perhaps plucky Oklahoma, with all of its financial disadvantages, scheduling struggles and three-star players, could shake up the world.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the book’s main themes is that trauma and damage, like red hair or skill with animals, can be handed down from one generation to the next.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The Brewers did most of their damage during a 40-pitch second inning, scoring four runs with the Bombers playing some porous defense behind Fried.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
If a drug retails for $100 and a hospital can buy it for $60, then charges the patient or their insurance the full $100 price, the hospital then has $40 to put toward other expenses.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Since he was originally called up last week, Bennett has made two starts to help the Red Sox weather a significant run of injuries to the starting rotation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
-
Michael Loria The United Nations called out Israel over its strikes killing healthcare workers, saying the World Health Organization has recorded 151 such attacks resulting in 103 deaths and 230 injuries.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
