Is **detrimental** formal or informal?

What is the difference between **detrimental** and **harmful**?

How do I use **detrimental** in a sentence?

Is **detribut** common in academic writing?

Is **detrimental** common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

detrimental

/ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

1.
Causing harm or damage; reducing success or value.
- Smoking is **detrimental** to your lungs.
- Pollution has **detrimental** effects on wildlife.
2.
Unfavourable; likely to hinder progress.
- The new policy could be **detrimental** to small businesses.
- Long screen time is **detrimental** for children.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: detrimental is stronger than harmful and more formal than bad; it suits serious contexts like health or policy. Use detrimental for clear, noticeable damage, not minor issues. It often appears in academic or report writing rather than casual chat.

In other languages

Spanish: detrimentale
Japanese: 有害な
Korean: 유해한
Vietnamese: gây hại
Chinese: 有害的

Common phrases

detrimental to healthdetrimental effectsdetrimental impactdetrimental influence

Synonyms

harmful injurious adverse negative damaging

Related words

harm damage injury adverse negative

Frequently asked questions

Is **detrimental** formal or informal?: Is **detrimental** formal or informal?
What is the difference between **detrimental** and **harmful**?: What is the difference between **detrimental** and **harmful**?
How do I use **detrimental** in a sentence?: How do I use **detrimental** in a sentence?
Is **detribut** common in academic writing?: Is **detrimental** common in academic writing?