as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harmful
Avoid charring or cooking over high flames, which can create harmful compounds (like HCAs and PAHs).
—
Lauryn Higgins, Time, 3 July 2025
American Sweatshop stars Lili Reinhart as Daisy, a young woman whose job is to evaluate harmful and offensive content on social media.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Visitors to Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area between Arizona and Utah are advised to exercise caution when swimming and not ingest the water due to potential sewage or potentially harmful algae, according to a National Park Service advisory.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025
Research has found that building roads can fragment habitats, disrupt ecosystems, and increase erosion and sediment pollution in drinking water, among other potentially harmful outcomes.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Lauryn Higgins, Time, 3 July 2025
American Sweatshop stars Lili Reinhart as Daisy, a young woman whose job is to evaluate harmful and offensive content on social media.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 July 2025
Visitors to Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area between Arizona and Utah are advised to exercise caution when swimming and not ingest the water due to potential sewage or potentially harmful algae, according to a National Park Service advisory.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025
Research has found that building roads can fragment habitats, disrupt ecosystems, and increase erosion and sediment pollution in drinking water, among other potentially harmful outcomes.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
These dams have detrimental ecological impacts in an area that is already experiencing a high amount of litter.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
-
In addition to the risks of dehydration and heat illness, exposure to the sun is detrimental to your skin.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Texas and the Upper Midwest could continue to see strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail through the weekend.—
Taylor Ward,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
-
Be prepared for damaging winds, lightning and possibly large hail.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 July 2025
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This led to the state’s adoption of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and many related laws meant to lessen the emissions that contribute to drier, hotter and increasingly dangerous conditions across the world — and to inspire other governments to follow suit.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions (that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms), stomach pain and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather.—
Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Tom threw batting practice to Jackson, took Ethan down in the garage to vent and hit soft toss after a bad day at school.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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But there's also nothing worse than missing a connection that delays your trip by hours or even a full day.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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