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
Scientific studies have also shown that exposure to some of these chemicals may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
—
Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025
Generally, coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The report cited Drew Hambly, investment director at the country’s largest public pension fund, CalPERS, warning of the harmful effects of this imbalance at an SEC roundtable on executive compensation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
All of which are made from lightweight, dishwasher-safe plastic that’s free of harmful chemicals.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025
Generally, coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The report cited Drew Hambly, investment director at the country’s largest public pension fund, CalPERS, warning of the harmful effects of this imbalance at an SEC roundtable on executive compensation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
All of which are made from lightweight, dishwasher-safe plastic that’s free of harmful chemicals.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
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Or, maybe the light has a detrimental effect by interfering with sleep or seasonal hormonal cycles.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
21 Aug. 2025
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Shawn French, host of The Determined Society podcast and a former catcher at Louisiana State University, denounced the rise of sites like BetOnline and Bovada as detrimental to young athletes, potentially creating a nightmare scenario.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The scientists also uncovered a damaging feedback loop: excess H₂O₂ depletes astrocytic hemoglobin, weakening the brain's natural antioxidant defenses and accelerating degeneration.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
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More elaborate approaches might involve steel plates to help absorb the shock of an explosion or keep concrete shards from flying off the walls and damaging equipment or injuring personnel.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fuller was initially charged with first-degree reckless homicide, but agreed to plead no contest to second-degree reckless homicide with a use of a dangerous weapon modifier.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Besides being a nuisance, mosquitoes can spread dangerous diseases.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Those measures include safeguards from adverse effects of federal activities, restrictions on hunting or development, and active conservation plans like seed planting or captive rearing of animals.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Consumers who have experienced adverse reactions after using these products should report their symptoms and product use to their health care providers, the agency said.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Tony Award-winning actor/activist on President Trump’s effort to change how US history — particularly how bad slavery was — is portrayed at the Smithsonian.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
27 Aug. 2025
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Recent research shows that executives using generative AI made significantly worse predictions than those who relied on traditional deliberation methods.—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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