as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deleterious
The city’s efforts have deleterious practical effects, too.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
The acceptance of smartphones in schools has fueled cyberbullying, conflict among students, and had a cumulative, enduring, and deleterious effect on adolescents’ abilities to focus and apply themselves.
—Jonathan Haidt, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
The bottom line is that all programs and policies need to have frequent reviews to verify that goals are being met and that deleterious side-effects are contained.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Shortly after Obama’s victory, his supporters pivoted to arguing that Americans were already suffering from the psychologically deleterious effect of too much prosperity.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
The acceptance of smartphones in schools has fueled cyberbullying, conflict among students, and had a cumulative, enduring, and deleterious effect on adolescents’ abilities to focus and apply themselves.
—Jonathan Haidt, Denver Post, 17 July 2025
The bottom line is that all programs and policies need to have frequent reviews to verify that goals are being met and that deleterious side-effects are contained.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Shortly after Obama’s victory, his supporters pivoted to arguing that Americans were already suffering from the psychologically deleterious effect of too much prosperity.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
-
According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Nonfiction narratives that students both read and produce serve as counter-narratives to the oppressive and harmful tropes in media more generally about Black girls and girlhood.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, from an AI duality perspective, there is also a solid chance that AI can be detrimental to mental health.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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These die-offs have caused detrimental imbalances within the habitats.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The potential adverse consequences to entrepreneurs when well-being is disregarded are well-documented.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Trump is never shy of responding to criticism that is damaging to him from any source.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Historical accounts include stories of big storms and damaging winds and surf, but the modern record begins in 1950.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whatever happens in their final qualifier, against Argentina on Tuesday, La Tri will travel to the World Cup next summer as one of South America’s most dangerous teams.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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To dissidents, she has been seen as a hero putting her life on the line; to Modi’s supporters, as a dangerous subversive who is anti-national and anti-Hindu.—
Anderson Tepper,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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