detrimental
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌdɛtɹəˈmɛnəɫ// UK //dˌɛtɹɪmˈɛntəl// detri·men·tal
adj. causing harm or damage to something. You use this word to describe effects that are bad for health, success, or the environment.
adj. causing harm, damage, or negative consequences. Typically used predicatively or attributively with 'to' indicating the affected entity.
Smoking is detrimental to your health.
The lack of sleep was detrimental to his performance in the final exam.
While short-term austerity measures may stabilize the budget, their long-term impact on social cohesion can be profoundly detrimental.
From Medieval Latin *dētrīmentālis, from Latin dētrīmentum (“harm”), from dēterō (“to rub off, wear”), from dē- (“down, away”) + terō (“to rub or grab”).
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to'.