harmful

adjective

harm·​ful ˈhärm-fəl How to pronounce harmful (audio)
Synonyms of harmfulnext
: of a kind likely to be damaging : injurious
harmful chemicals
harmfully adverb
harmfulness noun

Examples of harmful in a Sentence

DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This week, California regulators are taking a critical look at one of the state’s most harmful laws. Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026 Its harshest critics continue to insist that there’s no clear neural evidence for distinct, multiple intelligences (MI); the theory is not readily testable (in the way IQ is); and MI’s offshoot teaching strategies are inappropriately studied (even outright harmful). Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026 Being able to recognize these terms early can help parents identify potentially dangerous interactions and understand when someone online may be attempting to mask harmful intent. Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 By comparing external data with real-world observations, machines can detect inconsistencies and reduce reliance on potentially harmful inputs. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmful was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmful. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

harmful

adjective
harm·​ful ˈhärm-fəl How to pronounce harmful (audio)
: causing damage : injurious
harmfully adverb
harmfulness noun

Legal Definition

harmful

adjective
harm·​ful
: of a kind likely to cause harm
harmfully adverb
harmfulness noun

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