as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deleterious
The Fourth Estate is under attack on many fronts, from the deleterious effects of social media to conspiracy-theory-mongers on the left and right.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Once considered a disease largely confined to the developed world, the deleterious effects of dementia are now apparent throughout the globe, as life expectancy increases in many formerly developing countries.
—Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
The city’s efforts have deleterious practical effects, too.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Once considered a disease largely confined to the developed world, the deleterious effects of dementia are now apparent throughout the globe, as life expectancy increases in many formerly developing countries.
—Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
The city’s efforts have deleterious practical effects, too.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
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The findings come just a couple years after another study conducted by Spanish and Brazilian researchers revealed the existence of potentially harmful bisphenol chemicals in clothing sold in Spain for pregnant women, newborns and toddlers.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
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According to one study, people may become either psychologically or physically dependent on caffeine, which may be harmful.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know In a video address, Probitkin said UnitedHealthcare has offered solutions that are one-sided and would be detrimental to patients and providers and accused big insurers like UnitedHealthcare of taking advantage of regional and safety net health care providers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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That’s not only unnecessary, but can be detrimental to the plants and the wider ecosystem.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe and some people are at even higher risk of adverse effects, warned the agency, including young children, people of child-bearing age and people who are breastfeeding.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Given an adverse court ruling (related to another firm) that was adverse to Netflix, management recognized the expense this quarter.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean are staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of extreme rainfall and damaging winds with a strengthening Tropical Storm Melissa expected to become a major hurricane over some of the hottest ocean water on the planet.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Despite how terribly damaging America has been recently, that country and those ideals remain worth fighting for.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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This connection would become increasingly important over the twentieth century, as the rapid development of technological infrastructure created ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous sensitivities to geomagnetic storms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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