as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance
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Recent Examples of deleterious
Conversely, cannabis appears to be especially deleterious to the cognitive and psychological well-being of young people.
—
Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026
Studies have shown that routine use of AI has a deleterious impact on cognition, creativity, recall, and critical thinking.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
Virtually no one’s immune from their deleterious effects, since they’re found in a wide variety of everyday products.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Besides helping create social connections, the VR programming from both Rendever and Mynd has been employed as a possible tool for potentially slowing down the deleterious effects of dementia.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2026
Studies have shown that routine use of AI has a deleterious impact on cognition, creativity, recall, and critical thinking.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
Virtually no one’s immune from their deleterious effects, since they’re found in a wide variety of everyday products.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Besides helping create social connections, the VR programming from both Rendever and Mynd has been employed as a possible tool for potentially slowing down the deleterious effects of dementia.
—Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deleterious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious
Adjective
-
The same jury acquitted Lopez of more than a dozen other charges and hung on five counts of sending harmful material to a minor.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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While the video amused viewers, experts warn that repeatedly hitting the snooze button can be harmful.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Importantly, there was no detrimental effect on strength or durability from the additives.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, a full recovery is unlikely in the near term, meaning many detrimental impacts could persist, or even intensify, through the rest of the year.—
Daniel Manzo,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether to report adverse events — illnesses or deaths potentially related to the products — to the FDA is largely at manufacturers’ discretion.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Fugitives are allowed the first shot lest the officer face investigation, charges, interrogation by attorneys, and even adverse public opinion.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lebohang Morake — the Grammy-winning South African composer behind the film’s opening Zulu vocals — filed a federal civil complaint in California on March 16 against the comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, alleging that the translation is false and damaging to his life’s work.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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In neighboring Croatia, winds swept through the capital of Zagreb on Thursday afternoon and overnight, crashing trees, damaging city tram lines and roofs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Community members and city leaders say the combination of narrow streets, heavy foot traffic and frequent parking maneuvers can create dangerous conditions.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deleterious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deleterious. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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