detrimental, overwrought, laudatory, imprudent, noxious: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 18. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. detrimental · adjective/ˌdɛtrəˈmɛn(t)l/

   causing harm or damage

   The researchers found that excessive screen time can have a detrimental effect on children's development.

   Synonyms: harmful, damaging, adverse

   Origin: from Latin 'detrimentalem', from 'detrimentum' meaning 'damage' or 'loss'.

2. overwrought · adjective/oʊvɚˈrɔt/

   excessively nervous or agitated

   After the long meeting filled with tension, she left the room feeling completely overwrought and unable to focus.

   Synonyms: overexcited, agitated, frantic

   Origin: The word 'overwrought' comes from the combination of 'over-' meaning excessive and 'wrought' which is a past participle of 'work' in Old English, conveying the sense of being worked up or agitated beyond the norm.

3. laudatory · adjective/ˈlɔːdəˌtɔri/

   expressing praise or commendation

   The critics wrote laudatory reviews of the new play, highlighting the extraordinary performances of the cast.

   Synonyms: praiseful, complimentary, commendatory

   Origin: from Latin 'laudatorius', from 'laudare' which means 'to praise'

4. imprudent · adjective/ɪmˈpruː.dənt/

   lacking wisdom or foresight

   His imprudent decision to invest all his savings in a single stock left him financially vulnerable.

   Synonyms: unwise, rash, careless

   Origin: From Middle French 'imprudent', from Latin 'imprudentem' (nominative 'imprudentis'), meaning 'not foreseeing, not wise'.

5. noxious · adjective/ˈnɑːk.ʃəs/

   harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant

   The factory was fined for releasing noxious fumes that polluted the air and harmed nearby residents.

   Synonyms: harmful, toxic, unpleasant

   Origin: from Latin 'noxius' meaning 'hurtful, harmful'