detrimental
Causing harm or damage
Examples
In a meeting
“Working excessive overtime is detrimental to team morale”
Over coffee
“Too much screen time is detrimental to your sleep quality”
Why this word
harmful
harmful is general damage; detrimental specifically emphasizes causing loss, disadvantage, or impairment
bad
bad is vague and informal; detrimental is formal and specifically indicates causing measurable harm
negative
negative broadly means unfavorable; detrimental specifically means causing actual damage or harm
Usage tip
Use for things that cause harm or negative consequences, often gradually
Etymology
Latin 'detrimentum' from 'deterere' (to wear away) from 'de-' (away) + 'terere' (to rub)
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Related words
debilitating
Severely weakening or impairing physical or mental strength
repercussion
An unintended consequence of an event or action
innocuous
Harmless, inoffensive, or not likely to cause any adverse effects
inflamed
Showing redness, swelling, and pain as a bodily response to injury or irritation
afflict
To cause pain, suffering, or distress to someone
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion