Synonyms of detrimental

detrimental

adjective

ˌde-trə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm

there were serious concerns that the factory's waste was detrimental to the local environment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harmful
• damaging
• adverse
• dangerous
• bad
• hazardous
• deleterious
• injurious
• poisonous
• prejudicial
• infectious
• pernicious
• hurtful
• evil
• baneful
• noxious
• ill
• mischievous
• destructive
• wicked
• hostile
• baleful
• nocuous
• unsafe
• deadly
• threatening
• risky
• inimical
• lethal
• infective
• venomous
• sinister
• unfriendly
• insidious
• ominous
• fatal
• contagious
• perilous
• menacing
• unhealthy
• unhealthful
• ruinous
• unsound
• killer
• unwholesome
• malignant
• pestilential
• jeopardizing
• pestiferous
• imperiling
• pestilent
• nasty
• parlous
• noisome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beneficial
• harmless
• safe
• benign
• useful
• advantageous
• innocuous
• innocent
• favorable
• good
• inoffensive
• healthy
• helpful
• propitious
• healthful
• salutary
• wholesome
• remedial
• anodyne
• curative
• salubrious
• hurtless
• sound
• secure
• palliative
• nontoxic
• nondestructive
• benignant
• nonpoisonous
• nonlethal
• noncorrosive
• noninfectious
• nonfatal
• nonpolluting
• nonvenomous

Synonym Chooser

How is the word detrimental different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of detrimental are baneful, deleterious, noxious, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When would baneful be a good substitute for detrimental?

While the synonyms baneful and detrimental are close in meaning, baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

Where would deleterious be a reasonable alternative to detrimental?

The meanings of deleterious and detrimental largely overlap; however, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When can noxious be used instead of detrimental?

The synonyms noxious and detrimental are sometimes interchangeable, but noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

When could pernicious be used to replace detrimental?

While in some cases nearly identical to detrimental, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detrimental

Citrus Although a wonderful addition to any dish that needs a punch of acid, oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits and other citruses are detrimental to cats' health. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 28 July 2026

According to Moran, drive-throughs can be detrimental to the fabric of a community. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

Wilson said FishHouse reefs are built to last for decades with no detrimental effects to the ecosystem. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Certain narratives can even be detrimental, such as those that focus on a victim persona or a lack of agency. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 July 2026