as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harmful
Mike Johnson said a faulty catalytic converter – a piece of a vehicle’s exhaust designed to reduce harmful emissions – can set fire to brush.
—
Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Fortunately, flea beetles are not harmful to people or pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
But cap systems would also likely bring less obvious changes that would be harmful to players, Meyer said.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 10 July 2025
One of the most common and harmful examples is the Social Security Administration phishing scam, which targets unsuspecting individuals with alarming and deceptive messages.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Fortunately, flea beetles are not harmful to people or pets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
But cap systems would also likely bring less obvious changes that would be harmful to players, Meyer said.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 10 July 2025
One of the most common and harmful examples is the Social Security Administration phishing scam, which targets unsuspecting individuals with alarming and deceptive messages.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
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The platform was recently accused by several state attorneys general of implementing addictive features across its family of apps that have detrimental effects on children’s mental health.—
Zach Vallese,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
-
Water is a systemic need for plants of all types; however, too much water, whether supplied by rain or irrigation, is detrimental.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Baltimore area is under a flood watch, as thunderstorms and damaging winds are possible Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
14 July 2025
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Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather.—
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
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Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions (that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms), stomach pain and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
The alternative — keeping him around, highly paid and not played — would have been worse.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
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So the point is, if things feel especially bad, this is why.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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