Definitions
- Describing something that causes harm or damage to living organisms. - Referring to a substance, condition, or behavior that has a harmful effect on health or well-being. - Talking about an action or decision that has negative consequences or results.
- Describing something that causes injury, damage, or negative effects. - Referring to a substance, condition, or behavior that poses a danger or risk to health or well-being. - Talking about an action or decision that has negative consequences or results.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe things that have negative effects.
- 2Both words can be used to describe substances, conditions, behaviors, actions, or decisions.
- 3Both words can be used to refer to physical or non-physical harm.
- 4Both words are negative in connotation.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Deleterious is less common than harmful and is often used in scientific or technical contexts.
- 2Intensity: Deleterious implies a more severe or long-lasting harm than harmful.
- 3Scope: Deleterious can refer to harm caused to living organisms, while harmful can refer to any type of harm.
- 4Formality: Deleterious is more formal than harmful and is often used in academic or technical writing.
Remember this!
Deleterious and harmful are synonyms that describe things that cause harm or damage. However, deleterious is less common and more formal than harmful, and it implies a more severe or long-lasting harm. Deleterious is often used in scientific or technical contexts and can refer specifically to harm caused to living organisms, while harmful can refer to any type of harm.
