Deleterious

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ËŒdÉ›lɪˈtɪəriÉ™s/, /ËŒdɪlɪˈtɪəriÉ™s/
• US IPA: /ËŒdÉ›ləˈtɪriÉ™s/
• Rhymes: -ɪəriÉ™s

Origin

From Ancient Greek δηλητήριος (dēlētērios, "noxious, deleterious"), from δηλητήρ (dēlētēr, "a destroyer"), from δηλέομαι (dēleomai, "I hurt, damage, spoil, waste").

Full definition of deleterious

Adjective

1. harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way (as for example deleterious effects, deleterious to health).
• 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, :Or might it suffice him, that every wholesome growth should be converted into something deleterious and malignant at his touch?

Synonyms

• (harmful) destructive, harmful, hurtful, injurious, noxious, pernicious; see also

Derived terms

• deleteriously

Related terms

• delete
• deletion
• deletory