deleterious
/ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəɹi.əs/
Group 9Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Causing harm or damage GRE
Example in Context
The report documented the deleterious effects of prolonged isolation on the mental health of incarcerated populations.
Synonyms
harmfuldamagingtoxic
Etymology
Comes from the Greek word for destruction or harm.
- deleter (Greek) — to destroy
Memory Aid
🚫Sounds like “delete areas”
If you DELETE AREAS from your health plan, it could be DELETERIOUS to your well-being!
Visual Association
⚠️A sign warning of toxic waste in an area, indicating potential harm.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “deleterious” mean on the GRE?
deleterious (adjective) means “Causing harm or damage”. The report documented the deleterious effects of prolonged isolation on the mental health of incarcerated populations.
How to remember “deleterious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “deleterious” sounds like “delete areas”. If you DELETE AREAS from your health plan, it could be DELETERIOUS to your well-being!
What are synonyms for “deleterious”?
Common synonyms: harmful, damaging, toxic.