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 Not to mention that on a more macro scale, hardly anything threatens our economy and our society more than the deleterious impacts of unchecked climate change. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 Whether imposed by the U.S. or a foreign government, adopting drug price controls in the U.S. will have the same deleterious impacts – rising drug shortages coupled with sharply lower incentives to develop new medicines. Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 The strength of Ukraine's defense and the deleterious impact of Western sanctions on its economy have forced Russia to seek support in its war from its partners, including China, Iran and North Korea. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 The decline of the bundle has had a deleterious downstream impact on broadcast TV viewing, as only 4% of U.S. homes receive their TV signals exclusively via an antenna/over-the-air setup. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
  • The jury is still out on whether emulsifiers are harmful to the gut.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025
  • China has gone even further, requiring digital watermarks on synthetic media and directing platforms to swiftly remove harmful content — part of its broader strategy of centralized content control.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, not getting The Notebook was far from detrimental, as Witherspoon became a leading romantic comedy actress and starred in Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, Vanity Fair, Walk the Line and Just Like Heaven — all from 2001 to 2005.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • This change is especially detrimental to the daughter’s character, forcing Łubik to spend most of her performance hysterically responding to her mother’s actions.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Potent thunderstorms across the central and eastern U.S. this week could trigger flash floods, damaging winds and possible tornadoes as California prepares for its first heat wave of the season.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • The plains in southeastern Colorado can expect damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, 2-inch hail, heavy rain and a chance for tornadoes, according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the weather service's Pueblo office.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • This security problem is dangerous in many sectors of business, including financial, travel, and e-commerce.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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