injurious

adjective

in·​ju·​ri·​ous in-ˈju̇r-ē-əs 

1

: inflicting or tending to inflict injury : detrimental

injurious to health

2

: abusive, defamatory

Speak not injurious words …

—George Washington

injuriously adverb

injuriousness noun

Synonyms of injurious

• harmful
• detrimental
• damaging
• adverse
• dangerous

Examples of injurious in a Sentence

The decision has had an injurious effect.

inaccurate news reports are injurious to the public's faith in the media

Recent Examples on the Web

The suit makes three claims against the organization (defamation, tortious interference and injurious falsehood) and asks a judge to award Barth and his firm more than $10 million in damages. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Kevin Maxwell, 37, of Canarsie, Brooklyn, was charged with assault and menacing, both as hate crimes, and acting in a manner injurious to a child. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

How to handle northern snakeheads The fish is considered an injurious species under the Lacey Act, meaning it cannot be possessed or transported live, according to the agency. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Nuisance and injurious to health. — Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for injurious

• curious
• furious
• spurious

Kids Definition

injurious

adjective

in·​ju·​ri·​ous in-ˈju̇r-ē-əs 

: causing injury : harmful

injurious to health

injuriously adverb

Medical Definition

injurious

adjective

in·​ju·​ri·​ous in-ˈju̇r-ē-əs 

: inflicting or tending to inflict injury

injurious to health

injuriously adverb

Legal Definition

injurious

adjective

in·​ju·​ri·​ous in-ˈju̇r-ē-əs 

: inflicting or tending to inflict injury

injuriously adverb