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Synonyms
Examples of harmful in a Sentence
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Working out prior to menopause will reduce the risk of osteoporosis in your later years.
And avoid harmful habits – smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can weaken bone density and increase the risk of fractures.
—Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Albanese cited the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image and misogynist content aimed at boys.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
These remedies are incomplete at best and harmful at worst.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
This may include protecting people’s privacy, mitigating harmful biases, improving transparency or reducing environmental impact—a very hot topic in the news recently.
—Eric Miquelon, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of harmful was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near harmful
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmful. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
Legal Definition
harmful
adjective
harm·ful
: of a kind likely to cause harm
harmfully
adverb
harmfulness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on harmful
Nglish: Translation of harmful for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of harmful for Arabic Speakers
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