prejudicial

adjective

ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
Definition of prejudicialnext
1
as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm pretrial publicity that may be extremely prejudicial to a defendant's right to a fair trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adverse
opposed to one's interests the defense will try to counterbalance the mass of prejudicial evidence presented by the prosecution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 prejudicial Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the murder convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk’s improper comments to jurors, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 May 2026 In 2022, however, the Georgia Supreme Court tossed out the murder verdict (PDF), saying that prosecutors had introduced needlessly inflammatory and prejudicial material about Harris’ personal life at his trial. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026 To have air traffic controllers or the Transportation Security Administration to go without pay is insane and prejudicial to public safety. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Weinstein’s earlier rape conviction in New York was overturned by the state’s highest court on the grounds that prosecutors were allowed to introduce prejudicial testimony from women who claimed they were assaulted, but whose allegations were not charged. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prejudicial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prejudicial
  1. detrimental
  2. adverse
  3. harmful
  4. negative
  5. damaging
  6. unfavorable
  7. dangerous
  8. hostile
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, during the early to mid-twentieth century, negative perceptions of immigrant and ethnic laborers led many outsiders to view their neighborhoods as unsafe, unclean, and detrimental to the social fabric of American cities.
    — Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • Pruning can stress them even further, creating a scenario that can be detrimental to your plants.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026
Definition of detrimental
Adjective
  • But this isn’t because of potential health risks or adverse effects in-flight—cabin crew simply dislike pouring it because of its excessive fizziness.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
  • The scientific debate Scientists do not always agree on what counts as an adverse effect of mindfulness.
    — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • Your liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and filtering them out of the body, essentially detoxifying you from harmful substances and chemicals.
    — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026
  • At our previous Yale CEO Caucus, over two-thirds of CEOs surveyed told us that Trump’s tariffs had been harmful to their own businesses, and 80% said that tariff costs had been passed on in part to consumers.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 July 2026
Definition of harmful
Adjective
  • When a customer came to Speier in July 2023 with concerns about a negative review and the delay in his $300,000 order, Speier assured the customer everything was fine.
    — Julia Coin July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • Under cross-examination, Wallace said investigators did not swab or collect two chainsaws found in Burke’s garage because both tested negative for possible traces of blood.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
Definition of negative
Adjective
  • The Athletic reported at the time that sources with knowledge of proceedings, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said these were particularly damaging to Southampton’s case.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and spin up faster, too, having a more damaging effect.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of damaging
Adjective
  • Organizations explain poor results by pointing to staffing shortages, difficult patients, unfavorable markets, or imperfect measures.
    — Basel Tarab, STAT, 22 July 2026
  • The storm is not currently forecast to strengthen into a hurricane due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • Experts agree that allowing external services to access Apple’s and Google’s operating systems could be dangerous for security and user privacy.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Sources additionally say that officers have burnt out while working overtime month after month — all on top of functioning in an already tense and dangerous environment, likening the situation to a powder keg ready to blow.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The instinct most change-makers follow is to spend their energy converting the hostile 10%.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The three companies intend to develop integrated solutions capable of detecting, tracking and defeating hostile drones operating in maritime environments, where protecting ships and offshore assets presents unique operational challenges.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of hostile

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prejudices
prejudicial
prejudicing
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Cite this Entry

“Prejudicial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prejudicial. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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