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
While well-intentioned, this mandate is costly and ultimately more harmful than helpful.
—
Katherine Hofmann,
STAT,
30 June 2026
Warm, sunny days contribute to harmful levels of ozone being created.
—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
As a bonus, health-conscious shoppers will love that the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified and free of any harmful substances.
—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
Dogs, however, remain heavily restricted due to high heat and the presence of harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the Virgin River.
—
Rebecca R. Norris,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Katherine Hofmann,
STAT,
30 June 2026
Warm, sunny days contribute to harmful levels of ozone being created.
—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
As a bonus, health-conscious shoppers will love that the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified and free of any harmful substances.
—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
Dogs, however, remain heavily restricted due to high heat and the presence of harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the Virgin River.
—
Rebecca R. Norris,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
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According to 24/7 Wall Street, the $60 billion all-stock AI company Anysphere acquisition, a $20 billon debt offering, and the future end of the lockup have been particularly detrimental to the maintenance of the share prices.
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There’s also the thought that onboarding a starting catcher midseason can be detrimental to a pitching staff, something that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has expressed in the past.
Adjective
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Each specimen was weighed and put in the same-sized containers filled with superworm larvae to determine the optimal ratio of larvae to specimen for thorough cleaning without damaging bones.
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And such a gap can be far more damaging than any technology shortfall.
Adjective
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Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
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Sometimes, the streets appear glittering; other times, seedy and dangerous.
Adjective
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In pharmacogenomics, understanding how genes affect drug efficacy helps doctors prescribe the right drug at the optimal dose while reducing adverse reactions.
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Johnson was undone by revelations of his conduct during Covid lockdowns and Truss by the adverse market reaction to her 2022 mini-Budget.
Adjective
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In two randomized trials conducted by Stanford economist Nick Bloom, for example, workers reported improved mental health, not worse.
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Heavy rain was bad enough, but lightning in the area is, obviously, nothing to be trifled with.
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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