detrimental

Causing harm or damage.

writing-task-2readingspeakingformal-phrasesHealthEnvironmentWork and economy

IELTS use

Useful for explaining negative consequences, evaluating policies, and supporting arguments about disadvantage in Task 2 essays.

Some research suggests that excessive screen time is detrimental to young people's social skills.
Relying on fossil fuels is detrimental to the environment as it accelerates climate change.
Short-term economic gains can be detrimental to long-term sustainable development.
A lack of physical activity is detrimental to both physical and mental health.

detrimental to health: A sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to health.
have a detrimental effect: Noise pollution has a detrimental effect on mental well-being.
detrimental impact: The tourist industry can have a detrimental impact on fragile ecosystems.
prove detrimental: Postponing environmental regulations could prove detrimental in the long term.
consider something detrimental: Many nutritionists consider sugary drinks detrimental to public health.

harmful: A common synonym for the negative impact on living things or the environment.
damaging: Emphasises the harm caused, often used for reputations, health, and ecosystems.
have a negative effect: A plainer and more explicit equivalent suitable for both writing and speaking.
counterproductive: Suggests that the action works against the intended goal, close in meaning but not identical.

Pollution is detrimental for human health. to Pollution is detrimental to human health.. The adjective 'detrimental' is normally followed by 'to' when explaining what is harmed.
The new law has a detrimentally effect on small firms. to The new law has a detrimental effect on small firms.. We need an adjective before a noun; 'detrimentally' is an adverb.
This solution can detrimentalise the situation. to This solution could be detrimental to the situation.. 'Detrimental' is an adjective; there is no standard verb 'detrimentalise' in English.