What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detriment
Example
Smoking is a detriment to your health. [detriment: noun]
Example
The new policy would be to the detriment of small businesses. [detriment: noun]
Example
The lack of funding was a detriment to the success of the project. [detriment: noun]
loss
Example
I'm sorry for your loss. [loss: noun]
Example
The company suffered a huge loss due to the pandemic. [loss: noun]
Example
The fire caused a lot of damage and loss of property. [loss: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loss is more commonly used than detriment in everyday language. Loss is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of negative situations, while detriment is more specific and often used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detriment and loss?
Detriment is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while loss is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.