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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 Less than six months into his second term as president, Donald Trump has initiated or proposed more than 150 actions that experts say are detrimental to the environment, which range from cancelling climate grant programs to loosening regulations that govern air and water quality. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: Attempts at micromanaging the economy are unproductive and detrimental. Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 16 May 2025 However, losing him for OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and more could be detrimental to establishing his chemistry with the offense. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 Pradeep Kumar Saxena, India’s former Indus Water Commissioner, told the Press Trust of India news agency in April that the country can stop sharing data with Pakistan after the pact’s suspension, which could be detrimental during monsoon season. Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for detrimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detrimental
Adjective
  • Located in the stratosphere, the ozone layer acts like sunscreen, blocking potentially harmful ultraviolet energy from reaching our planet's surface.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • These new rules, which aim to cut down on shark bycatch and regulate harmful fishing practices, represent a significant step forward.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are threatening states in the Midwest, with cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee in the crosshairs, forecasters said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with these storms.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Mowing too little or too much can have adverse consequences for the health of the lawn and can also encourage unwanted plants to grow.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • Health care providers and consumers who experience adverse reactions are encouraged to report them through the FDA's MedWatch program.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • This, in effect, frames even the movie’s unrelated, apolitical happenings as being at the mercy of this dangerous future, backed by Western powers.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • Mensah and Bharadwaj take dangerous risks exploring an unknown area while Gurathin confronts Murderbot.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Glorifying motherhood, meanwhile, in practical terms, may only make mothers’ daily lives worse.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
  • But, are seed oils worse than saturated animal fats?
    Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detrimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detrimental. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detrimental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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