detriment
/ˈdɛtrɪm(ə)nt
/noun [mass noun]
1The state of being harmed or damaged: he is engrossed in his work to the detriment of his married life light industry can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenities...
- Our real task is to maintain this position of disparity without detriment to our national security.
- This must represent the child's presumed will and may be revoked at any time without detriment to the child.
- The one person is there in whom God and man are one, without detriment to one or the other.
1.1 [count noun] A cause of harm or damage: such tests are a detriment to good education...
- Studies - from the American Medical Journal to the University of New South Wales - have told us that there are significant physical health detriments to the individual from prolonged use of marijuana.
- But these are the detriments of attracting foreign investment.
- Nostalgia for a bygone era is understandable, especially if the benefits of subsequent positive changes are overlooked and any new detriments emphasised.
Synonyms
harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, prejudice, disadvantage, disservice, ill, wrong, mischief;
British disbenefit
Origin
Late Middle English in the sense 'loss sustained by damage': from Old French, from Latin detrimentum, from detri-, stem of deterere 'wear away'.