Definition of harmfulnext

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 Sunscreen alone is often not enough to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Allison Forsyth, Health, 20 Apr. 2026 Police said nothing harmful was found. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 The habit can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as exposure to harmful heavy metals. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 This method allows harmful bacteria to survive and grow, and additional cooking cannot eliminate these bacteria. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmful
Adjective
  • Though a breezy effortlessness around tasks might be appealing in the short term, the lack of friction can be detrimental in the long run.
    Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Any action on either side to blockade this chain would prove detrimental to both naval and commercial traffic in the region.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The storms are likely to merge into a line later in the evening, with damaging winds becoming the primary threat, although brief tornadoes may be possible, the weather service said.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Witzburg faced bad odds of winning reappointment from Johnson, a frequent target of her politically damaging investigations and opponent in legislative pushes.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Portage police added that while some students play the game safely using brightly colored water guns, others have created dangerous situations that can trigger panic.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Additionally, there were no serious adverse effects reported.
    Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
  • There were no concerns over safety or adverse events.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The combination of a shaky bullpen and even worse infield defense harmed the Twins multiple times during the team’s current four-game losing streak.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • To be unreasonable is to be a bad survivalist.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harmful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/harmful. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on harmful

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster