as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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
This is in spite of the potential deleterious impacts, not just on individuals, but on the businesses themselves.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
His myopia was at least as deleterious to the liberation of the unconscious mind as his charisma were beneficial.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In his fast-paced, highly accessible book, Beiser shows how the environmental consequences of competition for these metals can be as deleterious as carbon emissions, especially when mining activities are poorly managed and regulated.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
This resulting pollution has had deleterious effects on the area’s residents, with some pockets of the region being estimated to confer a 700-times greater cancer risk relative to the national average.
—Henna Hundal, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
His myopia was at least as deleterious to the liberation of the unconscious mind as his charisma were beneficial.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
In his fast-paced, highly accessible book, Beiser shows how the environmental consequences of competition for these metals can be as deleterious as carbon emissions, especially when mining activities are poorly managed and regulated.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
This resulting pollution has had deleterious effects on the area’s residents, with some pockets of the region being estimated to confer a 700-times greater cancer risk relative to the national average.
—Henna Hundal, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
-
One of the most common and harmful examples is the Social Security Administration phishing scam, which targets unsuspecting individuals with alarming and deceptive messages.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
-
The Consumer Product Safety Commission was created by Congress in 1972 and tasked with shielding consumers from injury or death from defective or harmful products.—
Mike Scarcella,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
These dams have detrimental ecological impacts in an area that is already experiencing a high amount of litter.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
-
In addition to the risks of dehydration and heat illness, exposure to the sun is detrimental to your skin.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions (that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms), stomach pain and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather.—
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Texas and the Upper Midwest could continue to see strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail through the weekend.—
Taylor Ward,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
-
Be prepared for damaging winds, lightning and possibly large hail.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t forget the sunscreen Looking toward the rest of that sun protection, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will often be sufficient to protect your skin from dangerous UV radiation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
-
Making Their Lives Too Easy Wealth without work creates a dangerous illusion.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share