as in detrimental
causing or capable of causing harm
DDT has been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 harmful
These new rules, which aim to cut down on shark bycatch and regulate harmful fishing practices, represent a significant step forward.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Spoiled yogurt can harbor harmful bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella, which can lead to foodborne illness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Non-human primates may carry a variety of pathogens that are not harmful to them but that can cause disease in humans, including Marburg virus and HIV.
—Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
City may dip into reserves for first time in years
Do city leaders realize how harmful Balboa Park plan would be?
Up for a swim in the sky?
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Spoiled yogurt can harbor harmful bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella, which can lead to foodborne illness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Non-human primates may carry a variety of pathogens that are not harmful to them but that can cause disease in humans, including Marburg virus and HIV.
—Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
City may dip into reserves for first time in years
Do city leaders realize how harmful Balboa Park plan would be?
Up for a swim in the sky?
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
-
The multitrillion-dollar GOP tax bill could have detrimental impacts on decarbonization efforts in the U.S., according to energy experts.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
23 May 2025
-
President Donald Trump's economic agenda is having a detrimental impact on workplace mental health, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are threatening states in the Midwest, with cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee in the crosshairs, forecasters said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
The storm system is forecast to shift southward on Saturday, putting parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas at risk for damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Cruise’s wing-walking sequence was somehow even more dangerous.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
-
Even ejecting from the aircraft can be dangerous and traumatic.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
In 2023, for example, a federal judge ruled that mifepristone should be taken off the market by citing low-quality studies that reported adverse effects from mifepristone.—
Keren Landman,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2025
-
Those impacted by this recall or others can report a complaint or adverse event by visiting Industry and Consumer Assistance.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Things started even worse for Minnesota in the middle frame, as their offense still sputtered and the Frost’s second power play of the game was a disaster, with the Charge controlling the play and testing Rooney repeatedly throughout the two minutes.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
Glorifying motherhood, meanwhile, in practical terms, may only make mothers’ daily lives worse.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share