as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
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Recent Examples of harmful
The impact of the federal law could be especially harmful to Black households, but advocates are working to minimize the damage.
—
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.
—Peter Aitken
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
The microwave's radiation can have a harmful effect, too, transforming certain chemicals into new compounds according to Graham.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Before construction could begin, the city had to address arsenic and pesticide contamination and harmful vapors from petroleum and industrial chemicals, according to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, which oversaw remediation.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.
—Peter Aitken
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
The microwave's radiation can have a harmful effect, too, transforming certain chemicals into new compounds according to Graham.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
Before construction could begin, the city had to address arsenic and pesticide contamination and harmful vapors from petroleum and industrial chemicals, according to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, which oversaw remediation.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
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Air pollution of all forms can be detrimental to health, but the tiny particles in smoke are particularly pernicious.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
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Losing Love for any stretch of time would be detrimental to the Packers' season.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In a surprising aside given the damaging, lurid testimony in the trial about Combs’ private life, Agnifilo said one of Diddy’s future goals is to perform at one of New York’s most iconic venues again.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
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Even though plants need sun to grow, too much scorching sunshine can be damaging.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That said, the Revolution had promising spells of attacking play and even looked the more dangerous side in the first half.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
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In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The maintenance of a favorable risk-reward ratio over a shorter timeframe of 5 years is promising for retirement accounts – mitigating the risk of liquidation (if necessary) during adverse drawdown scenarios.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Many models struggle to operate in adverse weather conditions, and drones have weight limits for parcels.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Drinking rates fell across every demographic and young people were most likely to believe drinking is bad for your health.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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For the first time, a majority of Americans – 53% – said that moderate drinking, defined as one or two drinks per day, is bad for your health.—
Jeffrey Kopp,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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