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
Three years after Grossmont Union High School District ended its work with a mental health services provider over the organization’s support of LGBTQ+ youths, a new report by a watchdog group says the decision was at odds with district plans and was harmful to students.
—
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Like most sunscreens, this one contains main ingredients like avobenzone and octocrylene—key players that provide protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
The most harmful mistake of 2025 was how the Alexander Isak saga was handled, and the attempt to ‘normalise’ player sales has already begun.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Avoid dirty or cracked eggs, which may be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Like most sunscreens, this one contains main ingredients like avobenzone and octocrylene—key players that provide protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
The most harmful mistake of 2025 was how the Alexander Isak saga was handled, and the attempt to ‘normalise’ player sales has already begun.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Avoid dirty or cracked eggs, which may be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
Erdozain writes with a poet’s concision but a maximalist’s zeal, leaving no room in his historical account for any doubt that American exceptionalism has been a singularly detrimental force.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
-
The longer this pattern continues, the more likely that the detrimental effects can spread beyond cognitive health.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The suspects were arrested and have been charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with damaging phone, electrical or utility lines, felony vandalism and grand theft.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
The fires blazed near Interstate 84 between mileposts 13 and 17 and between Southeast 8th and 9th avenues off of Sand Hollow Road, according to a news release, after a powerful storm system with high, damaging winds blew through the Treasure Valley.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Yet oil futures have not skyrocketed to the dangerous levels forecasters feared — at least not yet.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Financial watchdogs view telecoms acting as dangerous regulatory arbitrage, fearing that seamless digital wallets are a backdoor for capital flight.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
DeVries also feels that seniors should not hesitate to file police reports to document adverse incidents.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
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The drug is designed to rapidly block platelets from clumping and restricting blood flow, lessening the adverse outcomes of a heart attack.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Especially defensively, where the Sparks had seemingly been getting worse.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The festival begins next week for the World Cup, but part of Poplar Drive is already closed, and some neighbors say the closure is making traffic in the area even worse.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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