What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deleterious
Example
Smoking is a deleterious habit that can cause serious health problems. [deleterious: adjective]
Example
The chemical spill had a deleterious effect on the local ecosystem. [deleterious: adjective]
injurious
Example
The car accident resulted in injurious injuries to the driver and passengers. [injurious: adjective]
Example
Excessive alcohol consumption can be injurious to one's health. [injurious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Injurious is more commonly used than deleterious in everyday language. Injurious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deleterious is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deleterious and injurious?
Deleterious is typically associated with a more formal tone, while injurious is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
