harmful

adjective

harm·​ful ˈhärm-fəl How to pronounce harmful (audio)
: of a kind likely to be damaging : injurious
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 Americans living in the area are exposed to higher concentrations of harmful substances. Jeremy Ney, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 The visibility that does exists has often perpetuated harmful stereotypes. Leah Dolan, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024 The rule will significantly reduce emissions of chloroprene and other harmful pollutants at the Denka Performance Elastomer facility in LaPlace, Louisiana, the largest source of chloroprene emissions in the country, Regan said. Matthew Daly, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024 One common myth around the eclipse is the idea that the total solar eclipse produces harmful rays that can cause blindness, according to NASA. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024 Brushing and flossing your teeth consistently and visiting a dentist regularly can help keep the oral microbiome in balance and prevent harmful oral bacteria from causing issues throughout the body. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024 Leanbean - Best Weight Loss Supplements for Women Pros May support female metabolism Aids in reducing cravings Boosts energy levels naturally Tailored for women’s health Contains no harmful stimulants Cons Six capsules daily Higher-end pricing Who Is Leanbean for? Robert James and, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024 All products are made with pure, GMO-free CBD that is grown without the use of pesticides, solvents, or any other harmful compounds. Luke Knapp, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Singham and Rangan developed a basic econometric model based on ACMDs’ harmful effects on property rights, domestic competition, and international competition. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near harmful

Cite this Entry

“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmful. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on harmful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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