DETRIMENTAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does detrimental mean? 

• DETRIMENTAL (adjective)
  The adjective DETRIMENTAL has 1 sense:

1. (sometimes followed by 'to') causing harm or injury

  Familiarity information: DETRIMENTAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DETRIMENTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(sometimes followed by 'to') causing harm or injury

Synonyms:

damaging; detrimental; prejudicial; prejudicious

Context example:

the reporter's coverage resulted in prejudicial publicity for the defendant

Similar:

harmful (causing or capable of causing harm)

Derivation:

detriment (a damage or loss)

 Context examples 

The researchers note that reduced use of fertilisers had no detrimental effect on soil nutrients.

(Greener palm oil possible without sacrificing profit, SciDev.Net)

But modern food processing can generate chemicals that may be detrimental to health.

(Human Gut Microbe Could Make Processed Foods Healthier, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Recurrent episodes of hypoxia/hypoxemia have long-term detrimental effects on cardiovascular health.

(Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are detrimental to cellular health and can damage biological macromolecules.

(Oxidative Stress Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

This passion is detrimental to me, for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The low-protein diet, however, had detrimental effects in very old mice.

(Protein Consumption Linked to Longevity, NIH)

Studies have shown that mercury ingested by mothers can also have detrimental effects on unborn children.

(Study finds mercury levels in Arctic soils 5 times higher than temperate regions, National Science Foundation)

Most plants have developed mechanisms to prevent self‑fertilization and the detrimental effects of inbreeding.

(Some plants are capable of ‘rubbing’ themselves for hours in order to achieve self fertilization, University of Granada)

The detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on human development are well known and include an array of lifelong physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems collectively called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

(Using both marijuana and alcohol during early pregnancy may increase the likelihood of disrupting fetal development, National Institutes of Health)

A study found that the finches’ fearful responses – known as antipredator behaviour - were sustained through multiple generations after the threat was gone, which could have detrimental consequences for their survival.

(A decade after the predators have gone, Galapagos Island finches are still being spooked, University of Cambridge)