Definition of noxiousnext
1
as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body mixing bleach and ammonia can cause noxious fumes that can seriously harm you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word noxious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of noxious are baneful, deleterious, detrimental, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

When is it sensible to use baneful instead of noxious?

The words baneful and noxious can be used in similar contexts, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would deleterious be a good substitute for noxious?

In some situations, the words deleterious and noxious are roughly equivalent. However, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When could detrimental be used to replace noxious?

While the synonyms detrimental and noxious are close in meaning, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When might pernicious be a better fit than noxious?

The meanings of pernicious and noxious largely overlap; however, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

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 noxious Shrouded in mist and prone to spewing noxious green goop over windows, their true form remains a mystery throughout. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 Dec. 2025 The friendly receptionist in the hotel listened to Vladimir Solovyov, a particularly noxious pro-war media personality and propagandist, all day. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025 One of the most noxious ideas, which is gaining traction among some MAGA devotees, is the concept of Christian nationalism. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025 In confidential reports submitted to NASA, flight crews describe being overwhelmed by noxious fumes — struggling to stay conscious, land planes safely, or simply breathe — part of a larger body of evidence suggesting that contaminated cabin air is a recurring threat. Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for noxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noxious
Adjective
  • Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas that at high levels can cause loss of consciousness and death.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Kirk recognized that this crude conspiracism was poisonous to his project of popularizing the conservative cause.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
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
  • Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.
    Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • At one point a couple of years ago, Microsoft even used malware-like pop-ups in a disgusting overreach.
    Tom Warren, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • People can experience stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours after ingesting a toxic mushroom and the situation can quickly deteriorate after that, experts say.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Each one is an artifact of her toxic relationship with her town.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 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
Adjective
  • Further, there is the even uglier spectre of players and coaches themselves fixing games.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Shower Heads Even the most high-end shower heads are not immune to ugly mineral deposits and limescale buildup that can clog the holes.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The change comes amid concerns about fireworks causing unhealthful air.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
  • Health professionals encourage people to use lean cuts of meat because most of the fat in animal products is unhealthful saturated fat, which can raise the risk of heart disease and cancer.
    Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 22 June 2024
Adjective
  • That agreement committed both nations to consult on security issues and respond to adverse challenges.
    NINIEK KARMINI, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • This fragmentation creates blind spots that contribute to adverse drug events, duplication of therapy and inefficient care and harms that ultimately drive up total health care costs.
    Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noxious. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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