prejudicial

adjective

prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
1
: tending to injure or impair : detrimental
a transfer prejudicial to other creditors
2
: leading to premature judgment or unwarranted opinion
prejudicial evidence
prejudicially adverb
prejudicialness noun

Examples of prejudicial in a Sentence

The judge ruled that the prejudicial effect of the evidence outweighed its value. pretrial publicity that may be extremely prejudicial to a defendant's right to a fair trial
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Andrew claimed in a habeas corpus petition that the evidence was prejudicial and violated due process. Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025 Defense lawyers said that speech included a series of improper and prejudicial comments against the defendants and their legal team, poisoning any potential jurors against them. Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 This production is clearly intended to present a one-sided and prejudicial narrative. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025 Context: The city alleges the district court made mistakes, including instructing the jury to apply an incorrect legal standard — lessening the plaintiffs' burden of proof — and erroneously admitting evidence that was unfairly prejudicial, per the appeal document. Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for prejudicial 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prejudicial was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prejudicial

Cite this Entry

“Prejudicial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudicial. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

prejudicial

adjective
prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌprej-ə-ˈdish-əl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
: tending to cause damage : detrimental

Legal Definition

prejudicial

adjective
prej·​u·​di·​cial ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl How to pronounce prejudicial (audio)
: having the effect of prejudice: as
a
: tending to injure or impair rights
such a transfer would be prejudicial to other creditors
b
: leading to a decision or judgment on an improper basis
the evidence was excluded because it was more prejudicial than probative

More from Merriam-Webster on prejudicial

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