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 Harsh Water Exposure Pool water and ocean water can both be detrimental to keeping your color vibrant. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025 The pause thus far has been detrimental to farmers. Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025 For the first time ever, according to researchers in England, the flavanols in cocoa have been found to block its detrimental effects on blood vessels. New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025 What To Know In a video address, Probitkin said UnitedHealthcare has offered solutions that are one-sided and would be detrimental to patients and providers and accused big insurers like UnitedHealthcare of taking advantage of regional and safety net health care providers. Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
  • Specialty cleaners made for glass cooktops don’t contain harmful ingredients like ammonia.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Small settings changes can make a big difference in reducing exposure to harmful or suggestive content.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Seven lawsuits filed this week in California allege that ordinary users seeking school help, spiritual reassurance, or simple conversation were instead drawn into psychologically damaging exchanges that ultimately preceded several suicides.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Vietnam is preparing for damaging winds, flooding, heavy rain and storm surges in its central provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai and Dak Lak.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Because obesity will drive higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, more adverse cholesterol levels—all sorts of things—that sort of becomes a perfect storm.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • These weather conditions will result in elevated fire potential and a threat of adverse fire behavior.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Two decades ago, when the NFL's base offense consisted of two backs with a blocking tight end and only two wide receivers, an elite cornerback could often take away half of the dangerous receiving options.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Iran is facing its worst drought in decades, raising fears of evacuations in Tehran while threatening the regime’s stability and nuclear ambitions, according to a leading environmental expert.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Keeping bad things out of my body.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental

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