detriment

noun

ˈde-trə-mənt How to pronounce detriment (audio)
Definition of detrimentnext
1
as in harm
something that causes loss or pain opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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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 More recently, former 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije sued ITN over allegations of sexism, racial harassment, unfair dismissal, and suffering a detriment due to exercising her whistleblowing rights. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, most of the industry's leading players contend that restricting use of the models would be to our own detriment and would place too much power in the hands of too few companies. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 They were committed to that sense of camaraderie with their neighbors, even to their financial detriment. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 The school districts’ joint lawsuit questioned the legality of the program and predicted immediate detriments to class sizes, staff recruitment and retention and student programming. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
  1. harm
  2. disadvantage
  3. damage
  4. expense
  5. injury
Noun
  • The federal case was based on allegations the social media giant misrepresented the extent of child mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The suit alleged that Meta designed Instagram with intentionally addictive features and exposed younger users to serious mental harm while misleading the public about the platform’s safety.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of harm
Noun
  • Consider these advantages and disadvantages before choosing an ARM.
    — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly, although benefits of smaller class sizes are real, at least for economically disadvantaged kids in early grades, uniform caps put high-poverty schools at a competitive disadvantage (because other working conditions are more difficult).
    — David Griffith, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • If an account remains past due for several months, it could eventually be closed and cause further damage to your credit.
    — Mike Winters, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • One year before his triumph in the 2026 US Open, Clark missed the cut at the same tournament and took his frustrations out on the Oakmont Country Club locker room, causing enough damage that the famous club outside Pittsburgh banned him for life.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of damage
Noun
  • Others argued the city cannot afford massive new spending on police, its greatest expense, and must make the department more efficient.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Family Dollar employee suffered damages, including losses in compensation and benefits, medical expenses, and anxiety and emotional distress, according to the EEOC.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of expense
Noun
  • Parten said two police officers were wounded by gunfire and another had unspecified injuries.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Players can also request a three-minute medical time-out for each injury that occurs — which could include overheating symptoms such as dizziness or cramps.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of injury

Browse Nearby Words

detrains
detriment
detrimental
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Cite this Entry

“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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