What is the antonym of “beneficial”?
The antonyms of beneficial are harmful, damaging, and detrimental. These words convey a negative or harmful effect on something or someone.
Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Causing or likely to cause harm or injury.
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health.
Causing or capable of causing damage or harm.
Example
The storm caused damaging winds that uprooted trees and damaged buildings.
Tending to cause harm or damage.
Example
Lack of exercise can be detrimental to your health.
How are these antonyms different from each other?
- 1Harmful implies a direct or immediate negative effect on something or someone.
- 2Damaging suggests a more gradual or indirect negative effect on something or someone.
- 3Detrimental conveys a negative effect that is harmful to the overall well-being or success of something or someone.
Good things to know
- 1Health: Use these antonyms to describe the negative effects of certain habits or behaviors on one's health.
- 2Environment: Use these antonyms to describe the negative impact of human activities on the environment.
- 3Business: Use these antonyms to describe the negative effects of certain decisions or actions on a company's success.
Remember this!
The antonyms of beneficial are harmful, damaging, and detrimental. These words convey a negative or harmful effect on something or someone. Use them to describe the negative effects of certain habits or behaviors on one's health, the negative impact of human activities on the environment, or the negative effects of certain decisions or actions on a company's success.
