Detriment: meaning, definitions and examples

⚠️

Add to dictionary

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?

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?

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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'.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "detriment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prejuízo

🇮🇳 हानि

🇩🇪 Schaden

🇮🇩 kerugian

🇺🇦 шкода

🇵🇱 szkoda

🇯🇵 損害

🇫🇷 préjudice

🇪🇸 perjuicio

🇹🇷 zarar

🇰🇷 손해

🇸🇦 ضرر

🇨🇿 újma

🇸🇰 škoda

🇨🇳 损害

🇸🇮 škoda

🇮🇸 skaði

🇰🇿 зиян

🇬🇪 ზარალი

🇦🇿 zərər

🇲🇽 perjuicio

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.

...
10224 colonization
10225 retina
10226 insulating
10227 detriment
10228 deference
10229 wont
10230 conclusively
...