DELETERIOUS Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deleterious

adjective

ˌde-lə-ˈtir-ē-əs

Definition of deleterious

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm nicotine has long been recognized as a deleterious substance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 There are still issues with the Under Armour brand that are deleterious to revenue. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025 Paradoxically, achieving success too broadly can have deleterious effects. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025 The Clean Air Act allows states to apply for a waiver from the EPA to set their own emissions standards in cases where the federal regulations are insufficient to prevent deleterious pollution. —Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2024 Given the immense and proven market for local fare, continuing that paradigm would be both counter-intuitive and deleterious to industry innovation, argued Xilam Animation founder and CEO Marc du Pontavice. —Ben Croll, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for deleterious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deleterious

Adjective

Test results from Consumer Reports found potentially harmful chemicals in roughly half of the formula products.

— Geoff Harris, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
This can be extremely harmful to the lungs of at-risk people, including children whose lungs are still developing, pregnant women, older adults and those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes, according to the American Lung Assn.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025