prejudicial

adjective

prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
1
: tending to injure or impair : detrimental
a transfer prejudicial to other creditors
2
: leading to premature judgment or unwarranted opinion
prejudicial evidence
prejudicially adverb
prejudicialness noun

Examples of prejudicial in a Sentence

The judge ruled that the prejudicial effect of the evidence outweighed its value. pretrial publicity that may be extremely prejudicial to a defendant's right to a fair trial
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.
But New York’s highest court awarded Weinstein a new trial, saying the former trial judge had allowed prejudicial testimony. Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 The defense tried mightily to exclude the video, arguing, in part, that any relevance was outweighed by the prejudicial effect. Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 4 June 2025 However, the judge ruled neither exchange could be entered as evidence, saying the $1 million cash conversation was too prejudicial, while the Gina message lacked context and the necessary foundation to be shown to the jury. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2025 Judge Subramanian denied the defense's first motion, ruling that the questions were not prejudicial. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prejudicial

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prejudicial was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Prejudicial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudicial. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prejudicial

adjective
prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌprej-ə-ˈdish-əl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
: tending to cause damage : detrimental

Legal Definition

prejudicial

adjective
prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
: having the effect of prejudice: as
a
: tending to injure or impair rights
such a transfer would be prejudicial to other creditors
b
: leading to a decision or judgment on an improper basis
the evidence was excluded because it was more prejudicial than probative

More from Merriam-Webster on prejudicial

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