Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The quality or state of being harmful.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The characteristic of being harmful.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the quality of being noxious
  • noun destructiveness that causes harm or injury

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • He has an interesting perspective to say the least, but Jimmy schools the good doctor on several points (such as the alleged "harmfulness" of saturated fat and the dangers of consuming "too much protein" following a low-carb diet).

    The Livin La Vida Low-Carb Show 2009

  • Dr. Brady [205] believes that the so-called harmfulness of coffee is mainly psychological, as evidenced by his expression, "Most of the prejudice which exists against coffee as a beverage is based upon nothing more than morbid fancy.

    All About Coffee 1909

  • And though we could philosophize on the harmfulness of obesity, bullying and being bullied will hardly help the problem on a deeper level.

    Carol Smaldino: Out in the Cold, On the Inside Carol Smaldino 2011

  • And though we could philosophize on the harmfulness of obesity, bullying and being bullied will hardly help the problem on a deeper level.

    Carol Smaldino: Out in the Cold, On the Inside Carol Smaldino 2011

  • That's partly because xylitol use is more widespread than ever but also because of a low awareness of its harmfulness among pet owners.

    Vet's view: Xylitol can be deadly to dogs 2011

  • It's unclear what further evidence he's waiting to see, however: Businesses and high earners leaving the U.K. for fiscally friendlier shores, it seems, is not proof enough of its harmfulness.

    Osborne's Tax Give and Take 2011

  • The furious opposition triggered by gun control efforts flows directly out of what can only be called a religious fervor for empowerment, which is resistant to all logic on the harmfulness of widespread gun availability or the ineffectiveness of violent conflict resolution.

    Robert Koehler: The Paradox of Disarmament Robert Koehler 2011

  • But in their quiet destruction of a highly affordable, perfectly satisfactory appliance, washer standards demonstrate the harmfulness of the ever-growing body of efficiency mandates.

    How Washington Ruined Your Washing Machine Sam Kazman 2011

  • How much resentment, guilt, or shame are you holding on to, thus perpetuating harmfulness?

    Ed and Deb Shapiro: 8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life 2010

  • The difficulty of this prosecution and the harmfulness of the underlying facts to the integrity of the electoral and political processes give fuel to an argument that at least eight members of our Supreme Court seem to agree with: disclosure of campaign funds is vitally important.

    Jessica Levinson: The Hammer Gets Nailed Jessica Levinson 2010

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