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as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body mixing bleach and ammonia can cause noxious fumes that can seriously harm you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of noxious are baneful, deleterious, detrimental, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

When is it sensible to use baneful instead of noxious?

The words baneful and noxious can be used in similar contexts, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would deleterious be a good substitute for noxious?

In some situations, the words deleterious and noxious are roughly equivalent. However, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When could detrimental be used to replace noxious?

While the synonyms detrimental and noxious are close in meaning, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When might pernicious be a better fit than noxious?

The meanings of pernicious and noxious largely overlap; however, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

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 noxious Furthermore, their droppings attracted flies and generated noxious odors, which fouled the otherwise refreshing Mackinac air. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025 The first-term San Diego assembly member is MAGA to his marrow, bringing Donald Trump’s noxious politics and personal approach to Sacramento. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 Those living and working near the river valley have reported symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue and respiratory irritation after being exposed to noxious odors caused by hydrogen sulfide. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025 Garlic mustard is a problem in dozens of states, considered an invasive species in some, a noxious weed in others. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for noxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noxious
Adjective
  • Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisonous mushrooms following a trial that has gripped the world.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 July 2025
  • The atmosphere in the Rockies’ clubhouse is not toxic, unlike Chicago’s, which reportedly was poisonous for much of last season.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 July 2025
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
  • But there have been some signs that bacteria could be capable of overcoming some of the harmful effects of forever chemicals.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Danny DeVito, who plays the hilarious and disgusting Frank Reynolds on Always Sunny, used to be married to a fellow comedy legend, Rhea Perlman.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 9 July 2025
  • July 7, 2025 Homa included another message from a fan that is far too disgusting to even reiterate.
    Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Setting the right tone and removing toxic employees becomes mission-critical to managing human employees in an age of AI.
    Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The full moon in Libra on the 12th illuminates your relationships, highlighting where you may be stuck in codependent or toxic dynamics.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 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
  • This led to the state’s adoption of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and many related laws meant to lessen the emissions that contribute to drier, hotter and increasingly dangerous conditions across the world — and to inspire other governments to follow suit.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • In ‘24, Hoover and the offense were a mess through the first six games, which included a rash of turnovers and ugly home defeats to Houston and Central Florida.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
  • Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The change comes amid concerns about fireworks causing unhealthful air.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
  • The unhealthful effects of autocracy remain robust even when accounting for economic differences and when excluding Venezuela and its collapsing health-care system.
    Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2020
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

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Cite this Entry

“Noxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noxious. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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