detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, damage

did hard work without detriment to his health

2

: a cause of injury or damage

a detriment to progress

Synonyms

• affliction
• damage
• harm
• hurt
• injury

Examples of detriment in a Sentence

opponents of casino gambling claim that it is a detriment to society at large

the requirement that runners wear shoes for the race worked to his detriment since he was used to running barefoot

Recent Examples on the Web

With Jupiter retrograde in Gemini and Mercury retrograde (in its detriment) in Sagittarius, we are called to pause and reflect before rushing forward. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Dec. 2024

Women are deprioritizing their healthcare needs over the needs of others, often at a detriment to their own well-being. —Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

So nobody dares say anything and, if that comes at the detriment of the players, the people in higher positions seem OK with it. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Nov. 2024

And the film keeps hammering home themes it’s established, sometimes to its detriment. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dētrīmentum "reduction in quantity, diminishment, harm, damage," from dētrī-, variant stem of dēterere "to wear away, rub off, lessen, impair" + -mentum -ment — more at detritus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing detriment

• to one's detriment
• to the detriment of
• without detriment to

Kids Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

: injury or damage or its cause

Legal Definition

detriment

noun

det·​ri·​ment ˈde-trə-mənt 

1

: injury, loss

also : the cause of an injury or loss

2

: a giving up of a thing or mode of conduct to which one is entitled that constitutes consideration for a contract

called also legal detriment

detrimental

ˌde-trə-ˈmen-təl 

adjective

detrimentally adverb