harmful meme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmful meme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a meme that promotes negative or damaging ideas, behaviors, or beliefs. Example: "The internet is filled with both funny and harmful memes that can influence people's perceptions and attitudes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But for those people who for example are (in reality) putting their children at risk by not having them vaccinated, opposition in the form of 'facts' confirms their own belief that they are doing the right thing – guided and aided of course by the charlatans at the centre of the harmful, self-reinforcing meme of which they are victims.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, mythical memes become viral and harmful.

HuffPost

Is there a meme?

The New York Times - Books

The meme is back.

The New York Times

The man became a meme.

Independent

What makes something a meme?

The New York Times

This word is "meme".

The Economist

(That sparked its own meme).

The New York Times

Meme theory – liar because crazy.

Independent

We're meme conduits.

The Guardian

"Meme's the word".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of a "harmful meme", provide specific examples of the meme's content and its potential consequences to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "harmful meme". Instead, provide evidence-based arguments to support your claims about its negative effects. Overblown statements can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful meme" functions as a noun phrase, where "harmful" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "meme". It describes a specific type of meme characterized by its potential to cause harm. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful meme" is a grammatically correct and readily understandable term used to describe memes that have the potential to cause harm through various means. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for use in written English and its meaning is clear. While the phrase itself is relatively infrequent, as demonstrated by its "Rare" frequency rating, the concept it represents is increasingly relevant in discussions about online culture and its impact. The term is primarily used in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting a need to critically analyze and address the negative consequences of certain online content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toxic meme

Replaces "harmful" with "toxic", emphasizing the poisonous or damaging nature of the meme.

damaging meme

Uses "damaging" instead of "harmful", highlighting the potential for the meme to cause detriment.

pernicious meme

Substitutes "harmful" with "pernicious", indicating a subtle but destructive effect.

detrimental meme

Replaces "harmful" with "detrimental", stressing the adverse consequences of the meme.

malignant meme

Uses "malignant" instead of "harmful", suggesting a harmful meme that is evil in nature.

negative meme

A broader term that describes a meme with unfavorable or undesirable qualities.

offensive meme

This emphasizes the meme's potential to insult or cause displeasure.

problematic meme

Highlights issues of social insensitivity, bias, or questionable ethics.

unwholesome meme

Suggests that the meme can have a corrupting influence.

viral misinformation

This alternative phrase focuses more specifically on the spread of false information through memes.

FAQs

How can I identify a "harmful meme"?

Identify a "harmful meme" by assessing its potential to spread misinformation, promote harmful stereotypes, or incite negative behaviors. Consider the impact it might have on individuals and society.

What are some alternatives to calling something a "harmful meme"?

You can use alternatives like "toxic meme", "damaging meme", or "pernicious meme" depending on the specific type of harm it causes.

Is it appropriate to use the term "harmful meme" in formal writing?

Yes, "harmful meme" is appropriate in formal writing as long as the context is relevant and the analysis is objective. Provide evidence to support your claims about the meme's negative impact.

What's the difference between a "harmful meme" and an offensive joke?

A "harmful meme" typically spreads widely and has the potential to influence beliefs or behaviors on a larger scale, whereas an offensive joke may be more isolated and less impactful, though both can cause offense.