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Detriment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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detriment

[ˈdɛtrɪmənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

to one's health

The state of being harmed or damaged, especially in a way that affects one's health. It can also refer to something that causes harm or damage.

Synonyms

damage, disadvantage, harm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
detriment

Used to describe something that causes harm or damage, often in a more formal context. It can refer to an abstract concept or general well-being.

  • Continuing to smoke is a detriment to your health.
  • The new policy was implemented to the detriment of employee morale.
harm

A general term to describe both physical and emotional injury. It is less formal than 'detriment' and can be used in a wide range of contexts.

  • His reckless driving could harm innocent people.
  • Spreading false information can harm someone's reputation.
damage

This word is often used to describe physical harm to objects, infrastructure, or the environment. It can also apply to reputation or relationships but is less formal than 'detriment.'

  • The storm caused significant damage to the roads.
  • His comments damaged the company's reputation.
disadvantage

Typically used to describe a situation where someone or something is in a less favorable position compared to others. Often used in competitive contexts or when comparing outcomes.

  • Growing up in a low-income family can be a significant disadvantage.
  • Starting the race late put him at a disadvantage.

Examples of usage

  • It is well-known that smoking is a detriment to one's health.
  • Lack of exercise can be a detriment to your overall well-being.
Context #2 | Noun

to one's interests

Something that causes damage or harm to one's interests, rights, or reputation.

Synonyms

disadvantage, hindrance, obstacle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
detriment

Use 'detriment' to describe something that causes harm or damage to someone or something over time. It is often used in a more formal context.

  • Smoking is a detriment to your health.
  • Working too many hours can be a detriment to your personal life.
disadvantage

Use 'disadvantage' when referring to circumstances or conditions that make success or progress difficult. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • Growing up in poverty can be a significant disadvantage.
  • Being short might be a disadvantage in playing basketball.
hindrance

Use 'hindrance' to talk about something that makes it difficult for you to do something or for progress to happen. It often implies an obstacle that is more of a nuisance than extremely harmful.

  • Her lack of experience was a hindrance to her career.
  • The heavy traffic was a hindrance to our travel plans.
obstacle

Use 'obstacle' to describe something that blocks your path or prevents progress. It can be used both literally and figuratively.

  • The fallen tree was an obstacle on the hiking trail.
  • Fear of failure is a common obstacle to achieving your goals.

Examples of usage

  • The new policy could be a detriment to the company's profitability.
  • His actions were a detriment to the team's reputation.
Context #3 | Verb

formal

To cause harm or damage to someone or something.

Synonyms

damage, harm, impair.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
detriment

Typically used in formal writing or speech to indicate something that causes harm or loss; often involves long-term effects.

  • The policy changes were implemented to the detriment of small businesses.
  • He continued to smoke, much to the detriment of his health.
harm

Often used to describe physical or psychological injury to people, animals, or the environment. It can imply both temporary and permanent effects.

  • Smoking can cause serious harm to your lungs.
  • No harm was done to the animals during the experiment.
damage

Commonly used when referring to physical harm or destruction to objects, property, or body parts. Can also be used metaphorically.

  • The storm caused significant damage to the buildings.
  • She damaged her reputation by lying.
impair

Generally used in formal or medical contexts to describe the weakening or worsening of function or condition, often used for senses or abilities.

  • Alcohol can impair your ability to drive.
  • His hearing was impaired after years of working in a loud environment.

Examples of usage

  • His reckless behavior could detriment the project's success.
  • Failure to follow safety protocols may detriment the entire operation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, detriment often refers to losses experienced by a party due to another's actions or negligence.
  • The concept of 'detrimental reliance' involves acting on a promise that leads to harm when the promise is not kept.
  • Contracts sometimes include clauses that discuss detriment to outline potential negative outcomes from breach.

Psychology

  • In behavior psychology, actions taken that have a detriment can lead to negative reinforcement, discouraging certain behaviors.
  • Research indicates that prolonged exposure to stress can create detriment in mental health, correlating with anxiety and depression.
  • Understanding personal detriment is crucial in cognitive therapy, where individuals learn to identify harmful thought patterns.

Environmental Impact

  • Certain industrial practices have been shown to cause detriment to local ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity.
  • Climate change poses a significant detriment to natural habitats, affecting flora and fauna stability.
  • Pollution is a prime example of human activity causing detriment to public health and natural resources.

Pop Culture

  • Songs and movies often explore the theme of detriment where characters face consequences for their choices.
  • A well-known quote from Shakespeare emphasizes the detriment of unchecked ambition, exemplified in 'Macbeth'.
  • Video games frequently depict actions with detrimental outcomes, where players face penalties for poor decision-making.

Origin of 'detriment'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'detrimentum', meaning 'loss' or 'harm'.
  • It evolved in English during the 14th century, initially used in legal contexts.
  • The prefix 'de-' means 'away' or 'down', and 'triment' relates to 'to harm' or 'to suffer'.

The word 'detriment' originated from the Latin word 'detrimentum', which means 'loss' or 'damage'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century. Over time, 'detriment' has evolved to describe various forms of harm, damage, or disadvantage that can affect individuals or entities.

See also: detrimental, detrimentally.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,227, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.