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detrimental effects
devastating effects
damaging effects
disastrous effects
negative effects
destructive effects
detrimental behavior
harmful behavior
problematic behavior
undesirable behavior
toxic behavior
negative behavior
detrimental substances
dangerous substances
bad substances
terrible substances
harmful substances
troublesome substances
detrimental aspects
adverse aspects
unfavorable aspects
unfortunate aspects
horrible aspects
unpleasant aspects
a detrimental disturbance
a disruptive disturbance
a distressing disturbance
an undesirable disturbance
an adverse disturbance
a considerable disturbance

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 Nicholas La Joie, of Milwaukee, said moving away from objects that are detrimental to our society and environment is a good thing. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 But at the same time, lowering interest rates to undesirably low levels is detrimental to lenders and creditors. Ray Dalio, Time, 3 July 2025 Along those same lines, certain foods can have a detrimental effect on the microbiota and, thus, skin health. Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 2 July 2025 Advocates fear that this will have a detrimental effect on the lives of many who rely on the program for health insurance. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
  • Antisocial Anger Some teenagers express their anger through harmful behaviors such as threatening others, vandalism, skipping school or using drugs.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.
    Kirstyn Hill, Health, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Baltimore area is under a flood watch, as thunderstorms and damaging winds are possible Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2025
  • Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions (that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms), stomach pain and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather.
    Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • For flash flood sirens, that means installing river gauges throughout the area so that water levels are monitored continuously and the sirens go off only when dangerous flooding is occurring, says Berginnis.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 11 July 2025
  • Other symptoms can include itching, swelling, and a throbbing pain that radiates up the affected limb, according to Cleveland Clinic. Types Of Jellyfish To Look Out For According to Coffey, the U.S. is home to more than 9,000 species of jellyfish, and only about 100 are considered dangerous.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this month, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, filed their own letter, with even worse results; 140 of them were placed on administrative leave.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 July 2025
  • Making the timing of this move even worse, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, the nation’s most high-profile banker, is warning that private credit funds may be heading for a 2008-style crisis.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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