deleterious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deleterious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is harmful or damaging, often in a subtle or unexpected way. Example: "The chemicals released into the water supply were found to have deleterious effects on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor, the geneticists complained, had there been enough time for natural selection to do its work, given what they had discovered about the rate at which mutations occur, and the fact that most mutations are deleterious.

The Economist

I've gone to bed angry loads of times, with no particular deleterious effects.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They say there is "no effective system in place" to detect children and adolescents at risk because of "the deleterious effect of indefinite detention" and "no child specific mental health services on the island (i.e. no paediatric psychologist or psychiatrist)".

The Guardian

Charles complained that an EU directive was having a "deleterious effect on the complementary medicine sector by effectively outlawing the use of certain herbal extracts".

The Guardian

As a result, they have turned resolutely against companies with opaque accounts from American blue chips such as General Electric to Elan, an Irish pharmaceuticals group whose share price halved on February 4th when it confessed to the deleterious effect of some hitherto undisclosed assets on its 2001 earnings.External auditors have come under heavy suspicion.

The Economist

So he sets out to examine conflicting interpretations of Islam, and the deleterious impact it has on contemporary Arab society.

The Economist

America's "war on drugs" has had, in my opinion, an enormously deleterious effect on a number of our Latin American neighbours.

The Economist

They fret about PGD moving from merely avoiding deleterious traits to actively selecting desirable ones.

The Economist

First, when a new copy of copia inserts itself into a fly's genetic material, it may cause a deleterious mutation to a previously healthy gene (hence all the copia-related mutations detected by geneticists).

The Economist

It is a snapshot of one of Britain's most successful organisations: at a time of general institutional shrinkage, the National Trust, which was founded in 1895 by three philanthropists concerned about the deleterious effects of industrialisation, just grows and grows.Between 2001 and 2014 its membership increased by 49%, to just over 4m.

The Economist

I'd be interested to hear of any studies suggesting deleterious health effects of high rates of hormonal birth control among European teens; I haven't seen any such evidence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deleterious" to describe subtle or unexpected harm, rather than immediate or obvious damage.

Common error

Avoid using "deleterious" when simpler words like "harmful" or "bad" are more appropriate. "Deleterious" is best suited for describing subtle or less obvious negative impacts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deleterious" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as harmful or damaging in a subtle or unexpected way. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples showcasing its role in describing effects, impacts, and influences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deleterious" functions as an adjective used to describe something subtly or unexpectedly harmful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse, authoritative sources, notably in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. For clarity, consider using simpler alternatives such as "harmful" or "damaging" in less formal settings. Avoid overusing "deleterious" when simpler words are adequate. Remember that "deleterious" is best suited for highlighting subtle or long-term negative effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful

A more general term indicating something causes harm.

damaging

Focuses on the act of causing damage.

detrimental

Highlights the negative impact or consequences.

injurious

Implies causing injury or harm, often physically.

pernicious

Suggests a gradual and subtle harmful effect.

adverse

Indicates unfavorable or negative conditions or effects.

noxious

Refers to something harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.

unfavorable

A more neutral term indicating a negative impact.

destructive

Emphasizes the act of causing destruction.

negative

A broad term indicating an undesirable or harmful effect.

FAQs

How to use "deleterious" in a sentence?

Use "deleterious" to describe something that has a harmful or damaging effect, often in a subtle or unexpected way. For example: "The chemicals released into the water supply were found to have "deleterious" effects on local wildlife."

What can I say instead of "deleterious"?

You can use alternatives like "harmful", "damaging", or "detrimental" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "deleterious effect" or "detrimental effect"?

Both "deleterious effect" and "detrimental effect" are correct and widely used. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Deleterious" suggests a more subtle or unexpected harm, while "detrimental" emphasizes negative consequences.

What's the difference between "deleterious" and "harmful"?

"Harmful" is a general term for causing harm or damage. "Deleterious" implies a more subtle or unexpected way in which something causes harm. Thus "deleterious" is a more specific term than "harmful".