deleterious – causing harm or damage

(Pronounced deh-luh-teer-ee-uhs)

To remember the definition of the word deleterious, use the following mnemonic:

My delicious lunch mysteriously (deleterious) caused me harm.

Examples of deleterious in a sentence

The dry weather was having a deleterious effect on my plants. 

Doing ballet from an early age was deleterious for her feet. 

His fatty diet was deleterious for his health.