Definition

In a way that causes harm or damage.

Example

The changes to the policy could affect the environment detrimentally.

Conversation

I heard that staying up too late can affect your health.

Yeah, it can be detrimentally bad for your sleep cycle.

I definitely need to work on that for my own well-being.

Same here! We should aim for better sleep habits together.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Detrimentally → It is formed from "detriment" (from Latin "detrimentum", meaning loss or damage) and the suffix "-ally" (meaning in a manner relating to). The word "detrimentally" means in a manner that causes loss or damage.

Memory Tip

Think of 'detriment' as something that causes 'loss' or 'damage' — and '-ally' indicates how it happens. So, when something happens detrimentally, it means it causes harm.

Visually Confused Words