as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
-
In more extreme cases, happiness can also be derived from sources that are harmful to others.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
That chamber is sealed, plus the SoftGel is non-toxic, so harmful fumes reportedly shouldn't be a problem.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
These die-offs have caused detrimental imbalances within the habitats.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The specialty retailer’s chief financial officer, Robert Ball, said Abercrombie has seen about $5 million in adverse impact from tariffs during the second quarter, chiefly manifested in the cost of sales, and expects $90 million net impact from tariffs for the year.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
-
This tool helps with reading, writing, summarizing, adverse-event profile reviews, label comparisons, clinical protocol assessments, and even generating database code.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The National Weather Service in Nashville said the region is at a slight risk, a two on the five-step scale, for damaging winds, isolated large hail, heavy rains, frequent lightning and a possible tornado.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The terrifying part is that these attacks are likely to become more frequent and more damaging.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share