Definition of deleteriousnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deleterious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of deleterious are baneful, detrimental, noxious, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When is baneful a more appropriate choice than deleterious?

The synonyms baneful and deleterious are sometimes interchangeable, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would detrimental be a good substitute for deleterious?

The words detrimental and deleterious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When can noxious be used instead of deleterious?

The meanings of noxious and deleterious largely overlap; however, noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

Where would pernicious be a reasonable alternative to deleterious?

The words pernicious and deleterious can be used in similar contexts, but pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deleterious Which makes sense, considering prior research into the deleterious effects of stress. New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025 Wealth extraction is not often talked about, but a very fundamental force that can be productive and radically deleterious to an organization’s ultimate and continued success. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 But the volatility between our two nations has had other deleterious consequences for our economy. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025 Anesthetics are powerful and can impart lasting deleterious effects, particularly on the very young and the elderly. Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
  • While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Regulators will examine whether Grok is living up to its obligations under the Digital Services Act, the bloc’s wide-ranging rulebook for keeping internet users safe from harmful content and products.
    Kelvin Chan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What’s more, inability to heal these relationships can be detrimental to physical and emotional well-being, and even longevity.
    Richard Balkin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Yet none of those losses, Gottlieb points out, has been all that detrimental to the Trojans’ tournament resume.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • For example, statins are known to be one of the most efficacious treatments to lower LDL and have shown remarkable impact in reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The extra calories can help their bodies keep them warm, but they should not be overfed, which can have an adverse effect.
    Riley Rourke, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Spending six months in discussion with investors who delay decisions or funding can be deeply damaging to a young company.
    Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The storm is part of a major, widespread winter system that's likely to spread damaging ice and heavy snow across several southern states, like Texas and Oklahoma, into the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic states.
    Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.
    Leondra Head, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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