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
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
And it’s worked to their detriment in the NL West, since the Dodgers and Padres seem to use that playbook to some extent every winter.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The report cited the cost of living, which is 21% above the national average, as a major detriment to the livability of South Florida.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Perhaps to their own detriment.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
And it’s worked to their detriment in the NL West, since the Dodgers and Padres seem to use that playbook to some extent every winter.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
The report cited the cost of living, which is 21% above the national average, as a major detriment to the livability of South Florida.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Perhaps to their own detriment.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
-
Kuhl said last year that jurors should have the chance to consider whether design features implemented by the companies, like endlessly scrolling feeds, have contributed to mental health harms, rather than content alone.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The vast majority of baby foods, drinks and snacks sold in the United States for children ages 6 months to 36 months are ultraprocessed and may contain additives increasingly linked to potential health harms, a new study found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Stewart nullified the size disadvantage with his speed and relentless style.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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And yet, such disadvantages might have been overcome, especially in urban settings, had there been the vision and will among America’s industrialists.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Early symptoms may also go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within two to three days.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Just as people instinctively adjust their touch when another person pulls away, visible feedback from machines could help guide behavior and reduce unintentional damage.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the utility will be allowed to spread the expense recovery over an entire hunk of the Midwest.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Alphabet also said its research and development expenses went up by 42%, driven by compensation for AI talent and supporting Waymo.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Schwesinger also battled through an ankle injury this season, playing 16 of 17 games for Kevin Stefanski’s club.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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After several years of gradual development amid shifting roles and a major shoulder injury, Dosunmu cemented himself as an elite two-way player this season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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