NOXIOUS Synonyms: 217 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'noxious' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of noxious are baneful , deleterious , detrimental , and pernicious . While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind. // noxious chemical fumes

Q: When is it sensible to use 'baneful' instead of 'noxious'?

The words baneful and noxious can be used in similar contexts, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying. // the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

Q: When would 'deleterious' be a good substitute for 'noxious'?

In some situations, the words deleterious and noxious are roughly equivalent. However, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect. // a diet found to have deleterious effects

Q: When could 'detrimental' be used to replace 'noxious'?

While the synonyms detrimental and noxious are close in meaning, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified. // the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

Q: When might 'pernicious' be a better fit than 'noxious'?

The meanings of pernicious and noxious largely overlap; however, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining. // the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

noxious

adjective

ˈnäk-shəs

Definition of noxious next

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body mixing bleach and ammonia can cause noxious fumes that can seriously harm you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm noxious smog that for years has been encrusting the historic cathedral with soot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the website reserved the right to remove and report hate speech and other noxious types of postings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word noxious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of noxious are baneful, deleterious, detrimental, and pernicious. While all these words mean "exceedingly harmful," noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind.

noxious chemical fumes

When is it sensible to use baneful instead of noxious?

The words baneful and noxious can be used in similar contexts, but baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying.

the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity

When would deleterious be a good substitute for noxious?

In some situations, the words deleterious and noxious are roughly equivalent. However, deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect.

a diet found to have deleterious effects

When could detrimental be used to replace noxious?

While the synonyms detrimental and noxious are close in meaning, detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified.

the detrimental effects of excessive drinking

When might pernicious be a better fit than noxious?

The meanings of pernicious and noxious largely overlap; however, pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining.

the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of noxious Rogan developed a following first and foremost as a comedian, a mixed-martial-arts personality, and a dude who’s really into galaxy-brain ideas, weird conspiracy theories, and his own beliefs about the world, some of which are noxious. —

Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 Two groups of residents have already filed suit against L.A.’s sanitation department over air quality issues immediately after the spill, one specifically alleging the city’s failure to monitor noxious gases. —

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 Understanding that will help in their undermining and lessen the danger that they will be replaced by equally noxious successors. —

Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024 Gaetz would be the most noxious pick to slither through that loophole, but there are others. —

Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for noxious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for noxious

Adjective

Seven-percent mortgages have been poisonous to homebuilders, and Horton was down 26% in the fourth quarter – in a rising market, at that.

— John Dorfman, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Social platforms are poised to become even more poisonous to their own users as a handful of outrageously rich and powerful men grapple with their own insecurities around masculinity and free speech.

— Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 15 Jan. 2025