Synonym Chooser

How is the word deleterious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of deleterious are baneful, detrimental, noxious, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When is baneful a more appropriate choice than deleterious?

The synonyms baneful and deleterious are sometimes interchangeable, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would detrimental be a good substitute for deleterious?

The words detrimental and deleterious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When can noxious be used instead of deleterious?

The meanings of noxious and deleterious largely overlap; however, noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

Where would pernicious be a reasonable alternative to deleterious?

The words pernicious and deleterious can be used in similar contexts, but pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deleterious Not all of the longer-range Ioniq 5s can go that far; as EV aficionados know, fitting bigger wheels to one does deleterious things to its range. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 3 Sep. 2024 The state would wield a deleterious influence on public education, with a rounded civic understanding of Israeli democracy replaced by a more baldly nationalist and illiberal one. Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024 And if most analysts are right, the deleterious political and economic effect of Trump-style tariffs might eclipse other tax issues for the next four years. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Accusations of deleterious effects on human health have been investigated and found to be unproven. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deleterious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
  • In an October 2022 article in the Montreal Gazette, Bryn Austin, a professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, highlighted how BMI can lead to harmful outcomes.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Market intervention is always and everywhere harmful simply because markets are people.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Vulnerable Populations Although everybody’s health can be affected when experiencing wildfires, certain populations are more likely to experience the detrimental health effects of fires.
    Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • And not all of them are equally detrimental to health.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Some animals experienced adverse effects after consuming 150-300 milligrams (mg) of sulforaphane per kilogram (kg) of body weight.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD, Health, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The recall classification for the nuggets is Class 2, meaning that the products contain something that could cause temporary adverse health consequences to people who are exposed to it.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Mother Nature exploded in Los Angeles this month with the most damaging wildfires in the city’s, and likely the nation’s, history.
    Carmen Balber, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The two most damaging active blazes – the Palisades Fire, the most destructive in the city's history, and the Eaton Fire – were 19% and 45% contained, respectively, according to Cal Fire's latest updates Wednesday.
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hurts is incredibly dangerous with his legs, rushing for 630 yards and 14 TDs this season.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
  • As the winter storms progress, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near deleterious

Cite this Entry

“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deleterious

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