What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pervasive
Example
The smell of smoke was pervasive throughout the building. [pervasive: adjective]
Example
Social media has had a pervasive impact on modern communication. [pervasive: adjective]
deleterious
Example
The chemicals in the water were found to have deleterious effects on the local wildlife. [deleterious: adjective]
Example
Lack of sleep can have deleterious effects on mental and physical health. [deleterious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pervasive is more commonly used than deleterious in everyday language. It is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deleterious is more formal and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pervasive and deleterious?
Deleterious is more formal than pervasive and is typically used in academic or technical writing. Pervasive is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
