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 Chat The deleterious effects of marijuana can also profoundly affect mental health. Omer Awan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 The government also claimed at various points that trans service members would have a deleterious effect on unit cohesion, but provided no evidence and did not respond to contradicting statements entered into the record by former military officials. Samantha Riedel, Them, 20 Mar. 2025 This helps ensure that customer trust isn’t eroded by the deleterious impact of misinformation disseminated by illegitimate word of mouth. Branden Abushanab, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 And is definitely more powerful than a lecture about the deleterious effects of the 30-year mortgage on public policy and economics. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
  • The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation.
    Daryl Lim, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Shiny and minty, these balms provide a gloss-like effect while protecting your lips from the sun’s harmful rays.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Archer: Not having a rink in L.A. has been really detrimental to the skating community.
    Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Furthermore, the study highlights cultural contingencies, indicating that the detrimental effects of workplace aggression are amplified in cultures characterized by high individualism and masculinity.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the study, the researchers measured patients’ impulse control behavior disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, blood pressure changes and weight changes, and found that the adverse effects linked to tavapadon were no different from those who received a placebo.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • So far, Lilly said the adverse effects of its new pill are consistent with GLP-1s, a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But in recent years, lung disease for miners has become a major concern again, Laney says, because coal increasingly comes from mines embedded in sandstone, and which generates dust that's 20 times more damaging to lungs than coal.
    Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The storms are threatening large hail and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • We at ‘9-1-1’ salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deleterious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!