Definition of detrimentnext
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 And his length is more of an asset than a detriment in his case. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 May 2026 The report emphasizes much of what is already known – and some that is still being studied – about the detriments of too much screen time on developing minds. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 20 May 2026 More than a year later, Fúnez was arrested with two others, businessman Héctor Eduardo Méndez and Juan Ángel Ramos Gallegos, whom prosecutors accused of criminal association to the detriment of other fundamental rights. Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 The first lady’s claim that feminism made women put career over family, to the nation’s detriment, misconstrued what feminism means. Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for detriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detriment
Noun
  • The overwhelming majority of the teens at the lakefront were not there intending to cause harm.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
  • Some of these people are trying to inflict harm on this transaction really because of their own antisemitic views.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Similar to how van Gisbergen debuted on a brand-new NASCAR circuit, thereby negating some of the disadvantages that come with racing in a series for the first time, Magnussen will have the same opportunity at San Diego.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • Soon, multiplexes emerged, which put the Westwood Village location at a disadvantage.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The one that struck Elena’s building caused damage to multiple floors but no serious casualties.
    Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • The truth is that squirrels are a common rodent, and a little bit of damage caused by these critters might not be that big of a deal, and not worth the hassle of figuring out a bunch of different deterrents.
    Molly Burford, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • That's because the cost of jet fuel — which can account for about 30% of airlines' total expenses — has soared during the war.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • The caller told them a family member had been detained, which was untrue, and demanded money for legal expenses.
    Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy appeared to escape serious injury after being involved in a violent collision during a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Thursday.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
  • Some big names won't be making the trip to North America for the World Cup due to injury problems.
    Alex Connor, USA Today, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detriment. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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