SUBLETHAL Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

sublethal

adjective

Definition of sublethal

as in toxic

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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 sublethal But subtler, sublethal effects, like those described above for DDT, could be much farther-reaching. — Matthew Savoca, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023 The third is that this dosage was sublethal, just to send a message. — Ellen Barry and Ceylan Yeginsu, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2018 There’s a growing body of evidence, too, that neonicotinoids may have sublethal effects, says Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a bee researcher at the University of Maryland who was not involved in the new study. — National Geographic, 26 July 2016

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sublethal

Adjective

As toxic levels of gas have been detected, teams wearing oxygen gear raced to find survivors on Tuesday, the outlet reported.

— Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Research shows toxic culture is the leading cause of attrition, far surpassing compensation.

— Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.

— Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 July 2024

Definition of infective

Adjective

Legionella, the bacteria that causes the virulent form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease, has been detected in a cooling tower at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York’s Upper East Side.

— News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026
Deaths from influenza rose slightly, partly due to an unusually virulent strain circulating last year, although falling vaccination rates may also have contributed, The Wall Street Journal reported.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of virulent

Adjective

Wildfire smoke contains noxious or poisonous gases and particulate matter, tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, affecting people with respiratory problems, says the Environmental Protection Agency.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 July 2026
How plants poisonous to dogs cause harm Not all toxic plants affect dogs the same way, but many share similar chemicals that attack the digestive system.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

Argentina's greatest strengths lie in their infectious unity and fierce mentality.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.

— Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Definition of infectious

Adjective

The quickest way to artificially boost a company’s stock price is to slash R&D, gut capex, and initiate massive share buybacks, often with deleterious long-term consequences.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Lawyers have been accused of unnecessary complexity, deleterious delay, excessive cost, and self-interest for centuries.

— Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of deleterious

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

Spector is clearly concerned with the pernicious consequences of technology, its ability to numb emotions and steer people into ideological cul-de-sacs.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
That’s what the task force set out to do, and their findings, released in an official report Thursday, put meat on the bones of this pernicious problem.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of pernicious

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sublet

sublethal

sublets

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

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Synonyms of sublethal

adjective

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