Synonym Chooser

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

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 Given the immense and proven market for local fare, continuing that paradigm would be both counter-intuitive and deleterious to industry innovation, argued Xilam Animation founder and CEO Marc du Pontavice. Ben Croll, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 The reason for this is because of the deleterious effects of particle pollution, which are tiny particles smaller than the size of a hair follicle that get suspended in the atmosphere when trees, houses and plastic burn. Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 Furthermore, his distrust of institutions is something Americans across the political spectrum share, and his concern about chronic diseases and the deleterious influences of the agriculture and pharmaceutical industries on health is something many health authorities agree with. Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024 Figures like Farrell did admit that a power imbalance existed between men and women, and that misogyny had enduring and deleterious effects. Theresa Iker / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
  • Scientists have found bits of plastic in the ocean that are coated in communities of microorganisms, including harmful bacteria.5 Jayakrishnan said the microplastics in the body may play a similar role, offering a medium for cancer-causing bacteria to grow and disrupt the gut microbiome.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Better yet, they can still be used on public lands to sustain local communities in place of harmful industrial extraction.
    TIME, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Studies have also shown that exercising during times of poor air quality—for instance, when there is a high level of these fine particulates in the air—is detrimental to our health.
    Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025
  • And all deal with American iconography: more specifically, the nation’s foundational reliance on mythology and self-dramatization and the largely detrimental impact of all of that on, well, just making love and having children and trying to keep the wolf from the door.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Environmental groups have long opposed the new reservoir and objected to a shorter judicial review, saying the project will release unacceptable amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas, into the air in addition to other adverse impacts.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The advertisements also are subject to content restrictions, including no profanity, violence, firearms or material adverse to the city’s commercial interests.
    Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The cyclone was already bringing heavy rainfall to coastal areas on Saturday, along with damaging winds and storm surges.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The system brought the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And maybe keep them away from a dangerous young Pistons team in the first round.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Tale of the Tape Texas Tech is a dangerous squad from deep and the Red Raiders aren’t shy at taking 3-pointers, ranking No. 93 in 3-point rate.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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