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

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 detrimental Even some Republicans began warning this summer that letting those tax credits lapse could be detrimental, with Republican pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward issuing a memo that cautioned an extension of the credits could make a difference in next year's midterm election. Amanda Seitz, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025 Asked about the detrimental impacts of the ruling cited by transgender people, a government spokesperson said laws were in place to protect trans individuals from discrimination and harassment. Reuters, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025 There was a particularly sharp shift among those aged 18 to 29, the proportion of whom thought sport betting was detrimental to society surged from 23 percent in July 2022 and 41 percent in July 2025. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 The court again will have gone against the predominant view of medical experts in a way detrimental to the LGBTQ+ community, potentially adding to criticism of the Supreme Court as being too political. Timothy R. Holbrook, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
  • Back in August, OpenAI published an update to ChatGPT with stronger controls on the bot’s responses to certain conversational topics amid mounting concern that some users are building harmful emotional attachments to chatbots.
    Jack Guy, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This proposal, Pudelski believes, could be the most harmful for schools and educators.
    Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Moderate to major coastal flooding, strong to damaging winds, beach erosion, and very dangerous marine conditions are forecast.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The storm will drive major coastal flooding and beach erosion alongside the heavy rain and potentially damaging wind.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Consuming high amounts of tannins may lead to adverse health effects in humans and animals, such as severe liver and kidney damage.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Back in January, a study from World Weather Attribution found that, though the fires were likely influenced by a number of factors, climate change made the adverse weather conditions that fueled the flames 35% more likely.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Hat tips go to left tackle Jaylon Moore — who stepped in for Josh Simmons at the last minute, against one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league — and, of course, Kelce.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The rapid escalation of trade tensions sank US stocks on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recorded their worst day since April.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Investors are eyeing a stock market rebound after Friday’s trade war flare-up sent the S&P 500 to its worst loss since April.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental

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