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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 Republican lawmakers are starting to urge President Trump to reverse his decisions to pause U.S. military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, warning that a prolonged stoppage of U.S. help for the war effort would have a seriously detrimental effect. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025 The decision to pause and review all military aid, which comes as Trump pushes for peace talks, will be detrimental to Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia. Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 3 Mar. 2025 Get rid of the inefficient, non-essential, economically taxing and detrimental expense who currently lives in the Governor’s Mansion. Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025 This kind of damage can be detrimental by, for instance, increasing the rates of cancer. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
  • Test results from Consumer Reports found potentially harmful chemicals in roughly half of the formula products.
    Geoff Harris, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This can be extremely harmful to the lungs of at-risk people, including children whose lungs are still developing, pregnant women, older adults and those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes, according to the American Lung Assn.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The National Weather Service predicted severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and a few tornadoes in the afternoon and evening across parts of the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2025
  • That meant a cocktail of damaging offensive droughts, an inability to control ball-handlers off the dribble, an inability to stop sustained runs, too many offensive rebounds and put-backs by the opponent, mindless turnovers and second half collapses.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • When ingested or inhaled, these microplastics can release these chemicals into the body, potentially leading to adverse health effects.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Research shows that supplementing with 0.14 to 0.36 grams per pound of body weight for up to five years is associated with minimal adverse effects and health risks.
    Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of this season’s focus has been on building his partnership with Murphy, whose primary attacking role is to find Isak in dangerous areas, and encouraging his team-mates to involve the striker whenever possible.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Paved highways meant dangerous going for horse and rider, and her only mishap of the trip would come at Portland, when Goldie slipped on rain-slick pavement and fell on his rider and broke her leg, resulting in a delay of several weeks.
    Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Jayson Tatum kept the Celtics in the game most of the night with 33 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, but Brown had one of his worst games of the year with just 10 points.
    Jay King, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • How to build good habits and break bad ones via tiny changes in behavior. … Paperback fiction 1.
    The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental

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