DELETERIOUS Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'deleterious' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of deleterious are baneful , detrimental , noxious , and pernicious . While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. // a diet found to have deleterious effects

Q: When is 'baneful' a more appropriate choice than 'deleterious'?

The synonyms baneful and deleterious are sometimes interchangeable, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. // the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

Q: When would 'detrimental' be a good substitute for 'deleterious'?

The words detrimental and deleterious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. // the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

Q: When can 'noxious' be used instead of 'deleterious'?

The meanings of noxious and deleterious largely overlap; however, noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. // noxious chemical fumes

Q: Where would 'pernicious' be a reasonable alternative to 'deleterious'?

The words pernicious and deleterious can be used in similar contexts, but pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. // the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

deleterious

adjective

ˌde-lə-ˈtir-ē-əs

Definition of deleterious next

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of deleterious are baneful, detrimental, noxious, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When is baneful a more appropriate choice than deleterious?

The synonyms baneful and deleterious are sometimes interchangeable, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would detrimental be a good substitute for deleterious?

The words detrimental and deleterious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When can noxious be used instead of deleterious?

The meanings of noxious and deleterious largely overlap; however, noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

Where would pernicious be a reasonable alternative to deleterious?

The words pernicious and deleterious can be used in similar contexts, but pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Examples 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 The deleterious impacts of German energy policy on the economy have created dissatisfaction with the political status quo. —

Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 But there are heroes too — a handful of investigative journalists including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, and Carole Cadwalladr, both of whom have examined the deleterious impact of social media on democratic institutions. —

Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024 Jonathan Metzl examines medical statistics and conducts interviews with individuals to understand why white-identifying people support a conservative political agenda that has had a deleterious effect on their own health and well-being. —

Nell Irvin Painter, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2019 One of the forebears of Catholic social thought, Pope Leo XIII, published an encyclical in 1891 that outlined the deleterious effects of unregulated markets on family and community. —

Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deleterious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious

Adjective

Just be sure never to mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide, which can cause a harmful toxic gas if inhaled.

Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Third-party testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.

Barbie Cervoni, Health, 23 Nov. 2024