Definition of detrimentnext
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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 What’s troubling is the gradual and persistent normalization of eating disorder culture, which includes the glorification of one specific body type to the exclusion and detriment of others. Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025 However, this dynamic is seen as a detriment to the SaaS model because fewer employees at client companies means fewer software licences are needed. Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025 But the field goals would prove to be a detriment compared to the Buckeyes' touchdowns that followed. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025 Sammy was a person who, for his survival, for his benefit—but also to his detriment—had to live as a celebrity, as a performer, which doesn’t leave much time for investigating such questions. Questlove, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
  • Weak verification puts workers and consumers at risk of physical and financial harm, and underreporting keeps platforms from seeing how big the problem really is.
    Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • His lawyers argued for a more lenient sentence, pointing to the harm caused to his family by the Unification Church.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Patriots have a clear kicking disadvantage in this one.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In some ways, The Pitt’s breakout first season put it at a disadvantage going into the second.
    Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.
    Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But longer-term expenses, such as insurance and facility maintenance, are carried by the property’s owners.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Uniforms are supplied; no out of pocket expenses.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Lowe has missed time with oblique injuries each of the past two seasons.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Tucker was slowed by a pair of injuries in his lone season with the Cubs.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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