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deleterious

adjective
del·​e·​te·​ri·​ous | \ ˌde-lə-ˈtir-ē-əs How to pronounce deleterious (audio) \

Definition of deleterious

: harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way deleterious effects deleterious to health
Other Words from deleterious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deleterious

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Other Words from deleterious

deleteriously adverb
deleteriousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for deleterious

pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. noxious chemical fumes deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. a diet found to have deleterious effects detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

Examples of deleterious in a Sentence

In developing countries, the imposition of boundaries around national parks and protected areas has been deleterious for both people and wildlife. — Kristin B. Gunther, Association of American Geographers, 2002 Most everyone now knows the action of pressing mouse keys is far more deleterious to the tender structures of the wrist and hand than typing is. — Michael Finley, Albany (New York) Times-Union, 2 Sept. 1998
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Moreover, overfishing’s deleterious effects will potentially be exacerbated by climate change. — Tik Root, Time, "Inside the Race to Build the World's First Commercial Octopus Farm," 21 Aug. 2019 America will never be able minimize the deleterious effects of prejudice while the partisan process is working so hard to perfect it! — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Target the employers in raids; Toni Morrison’s brilliance; Perfecting and weaponizing prejudice; Grateful architecture fan(8/12/19)," 12 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deleterious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deleterious

1643, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for deleterious

Greek dēlētērios, from dēleisthai to hurt

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More Definitions for deleterious

deleterious

adjective
How to pronounce deleterious (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deleterious

formal : damaging or harmful

See the full definition for deleterious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deleterious

adjective
del·​e·​te·​ri·​ous | \ ˌdel-ə-ˈtir-ē-əs How to pronounce deleterious (audio) \

Medical Definition of deleterious

: harmful often in a subtle or an unexpected way the deleterious effects of radiation and chemotherapy on the marrow— Christine Gorman deleterious genes

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More from Merriam-Webster on deleterious

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deleterious

Nglish: Translation of deleterious for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of deleterious for Arabic Speakers

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