as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
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Recent Examples of harmful
In the meantime, concerned citizens should contact their members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and urge them to support legislation to protect Americans from harmful greenhouse gases and hold polluters accountable.
—
Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Knoepfler also notes that the same substance that's helpful at one dose might be ineffective or even harmful at another dose.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Horseradish will help deter the Colorado potato beetle, which is one of the most harmful pests for your potato plants.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Knoepfler also notes that the same substance that's helpful at one dose might be ineffective or even harmful at another dose.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Horseradish will help deter the Colorado potato beetle, which is one of the most harmful pests for your potato plants.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
Reactions allegedly manipulate young people and play on their emotions in ways detrimental to mental health and well-being.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Feb. 2026
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In mice with the bacterial infection, fasting was protective while nutritional supplementation was detrimental, the authors found.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But his man-of-the-people image has suffered some serious blows over the past year, and a corruption scandal has proved particularly damaging to a president elected on a promise to clean up politics.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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But separating them from one another is difficult and often environmentally damaging.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2024, the unfinished towers became a major downtown eyesore after graffiti vandals covered at least 25 floors, followed by dangerous stunts including base jumping that were captured on video and widely shared on social media.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Taunton is in Bristol County, which was under a travel ban for non-essential travel due to dangerous road conditions.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are various pieces of gear designed for skiing in adverse avalanche conditions, Antibus said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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Just under 6% of the 3,770 cases the board closed in 2024 resulted in adverse public action, according to the board’s annual report.—
Amber Gaudet
Updated February 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The dragon is said to scare away bad spirits and bring good luck.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Weapon system autonomously detects and classifies moving targets The company revealed that the weapon system autonomously detects and classifies moving targets in poor visibility situations caused by darkness, bad weather, smoke or dust kicked up by helicopters.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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