as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
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 deleterious
Which makes sense, considering prior research into the deleterious effects of stress.
—
New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Wealth extraction is not often talked about, but a very fundamental force that can be productive and radically deleterious to an organization’s ultimate and continued success.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But the volatility between our two nations has had other deleterious consequences for our economy.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Anesthetics are powerful and can impart lasting deleterious effects, particularly on the very young and the elderly.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Wealth extraction is not often talked about, but a very fundamental force that can be productive and radically deleterious to an organization’s ultimate and continued success.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But the volatility between our two nations has had other deleterious consequences for our economy.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Anesthetics are powerful and can impart lasting deleterious effects, particularly on the very young and the elderly.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
-
In order to rule in her favor, jurors will have to parse the harmful actions of fellow users — including her high school bullies and adult men sending her unsolicited nudes — from design decisions made by the companies themselves.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Many of these jars contain unknown or poorly documented chemical mixtures that could be toxic to humans or harmful to the specimens themselves if disturbed.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Without a doubt, the MAGA approach to immigration has resulted in detrimental effects to how the Constitution works in our system of justice.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The opposite, overwatering, is also detrimental because the seeds may rot.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Kiosks should be designed to detect drug combinations or conditions with higher risks for adverse events and these high-risk scenarios should be automatically flagged for real-time clinician review or to be reviewed within 24 hours of dispensing.—
Mark A. Munger,
STAT,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The sharp rise in chocolate prices owes to a cocoa shortage caused primarily by adverse weather and crop disease in West Africa, which accounts for about 70% of the world’s cocoa, some analysts told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Large hail up to quarter size and damaging winds of up to 60 mph are possible both Friday and Saturday afternoon and evenings.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
12 Feb. 2026
-
But growth stalled, due both to the pandemic and damaging revelations about Glossier’s corporate culture during the racial justice movement following the murder of George Floyd.—
Jenny B. Fine,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Without reliably cold temperatures, snow is wetter and thinner, conditions are rainier — and for athletes that can be dangerous.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Luge is the most dangerous of the three sliding sports (bobsled and skeleton are the others) — ironic because athletes in that event actually have the most control.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
