as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
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 harmful
For that reason, sucralose consumed in very limited amounts may not be harmful—but regular consumption has been shown in studies to have adverse effects.
—
Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2025
Study after study have shown the harmful effects of too much screen time.
—Bill Ready, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Previous rounds of testing found higher-than-recommended levels of harmful chemicals, but did not conclusively determine whether the landfill was the source.
—Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2025
Study after study have shown the harmful effects of too much screen time.
—Bill Ready, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Previous rounds of testing found higher-than-recommended levels of harmful chemicals, but did not conclusively determine whether the landfill was the source.
—Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation.
—Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
Focusing too much on weight rather than taking a more holistic approach can be detrimental to the care of all patients.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
And this has serious and detrimental consequences, not just for the colleges and universities, but for our economy.—
Destinee Adams,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
More studies will have to determine just how damaging microplastics truly are to fertility.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
24 Apr. 2025
-
But the uncertainty bred by the trade war is just as damaging to businesses’ bottom lines as consumers pull back their spending.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On April 26, flash flooding forced emergency water rescues in Duncan, Oklahoma, while dangerous flooding was reported in the cities of Norman and Moore.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The album calls out what Young sees as dangerous overreach by corporate interests into food systems and public health.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The result is potential adverse effects on the health, cognition, and well-being of older users and missed opportunities for support.—
Diana Spehar,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Sometimes this can be dangerous and cause serious adverse effects.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
President Donald Trump intends to completely reimagine U.S. trade relations with our closest partners and fiercest rivals, for better or worse.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
As an attempt to derive meaning from a meaningless phrase —which was, after all, the user's request—that's not half bad.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share