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
Jackson and other experts detail why apple cores and other food waste are harmful, and why the best way to protect our natural habitats is not to throw anything out, even the seemingly harmless bits.
—
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Importantly, the cops noted that Grok generated the harmful images from September 2025 through March 2026, well after X claimed that the functionality had been removed.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Ozone layer damage results in dangerous increases in ultraviolet solar radiation, which has been linked to harmful health effects, including skin cancers and cataracts, the DOJ said.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The good news is this plant isn't harmful and there is a way to remove it without harmful chemicals that can contaminate the soil, water, or wildlife.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
Importantly, the cops noted that Grok generated the harmful images from September 2025 through March 2026, well after X claimed that the functionality had been removed.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Ozone layer damage results in dangerous increases in ultraviolet solar radiation, which has been linked to harmful health effects, including skin cancers and cataracts, the DOJ said.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The good news is this plant isn't harmful and there is a way to remove it without harmful chemicals that can contaminate the soil, water, or wildlife.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
Too much fertilizer can be detrimental to this wildflower.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, a large body of research has documented the detrimental impact of negative news on individuals’ mental and physical health, attitudes, and behaviors.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Primary storm hazards include locally damaging wind gusts, with low hazards for hail and a tornado.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Brief damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines over small areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gabriel Basso stars as Sutherland, a formerly low-level FBI agent who has taken on increasingly dangerous assignments as part of a counterintelligence group within the bureau called Night Action.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
Bessent has compared the Fed's growing balance sheet to a dangerous lab experiment.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The most common adverse effects were jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
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As of April 30, no adverse reactions due to the consumption of the breakfast pizzas had been reported.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Or worse, to turn it into a sort of prison sentence.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Still, from his horns and tattoos to the double-bladed lightsaber, Maul's bad-guy chic was hard to beat.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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