detriment

[de-truh-muhnt]

noun

1. loss, damage, disadvantage, or injury.

2. a cause of loss or damage.

detriment

/ ˈdɛtrɪmənt /

noun

1. disadvantage or damage; harm; loss

2. a cause of disadvantage or damage

Word History and Origins

Origin of detriment¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English from Middle French, from Latin dētrīmentum “loss, damage,” from dētrī- ( detritus ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of detriment¹

C15: from Latin dētrīmentum, a rubbing off, hence damage, from dēterere to rub away, from _de- + terere to rub

Synonym Study

See damage.

Example Sentences

The European Commission said on Friday the tech giant had breached competition laws by favouring its own products for displaying online ads, to the detriment of rivals.

From BBC

Democrats also sometimes stand on their principles to their own political detriment.

From Salon

Against Manchester United, Arsenal played more directly and it was to their detriment on the day.

From BBC

In a statement, the group claimed the rules remaining in place were to the "detriment of vulnerable women and girls".

From BBC

His administration has accused a host of elite colleges nationwide — Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Stanford and three UC campuses — of illegally considering race in admissions and programming to the detriment of white and Asian American students.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disadvantage