PREJUDICIAL Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

prejudicial

adjective

ˌpre-jə-ˈdi-shəl

Definition of prejudicial

as in detrimental

causing or capable of causing harm pretrial publicity that may be extremely prejudicial to a defendant's right to a fair trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adverse

opposed to one's interests the defense will try to counterbalance the mass of prejudicial evidence presented by the prosecution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 prejudicial In addition, the judge was right to exclude from evidence Motsinger’s 1970s-era LSD and marijuana use as irrelevant, prejudicial and improper character evidence, the Motsinger attorneys further state. — City News Service, Daily News, 31 May 2026 Musk’s lawyers argued that such sentiments were blatantly prejudicial. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 In 2022, however, the Georgia Supreme Court tossed out the murder verdict (PDF), saying that prosecutors had introduced needlessly inflammatory and prejudicial material about Harris’ personal life at his trial. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026 To have air traffic controllers or the Transportation Security Administration to go without pay is insane and prejudicial to public safety. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prejudicial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prejudicial

Adjective

Being full of yourself isn’t detrimental but necessary for survival.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
The settlement also requires limits on features that some experts believe are detrimental to teenagers’ self-esteem and self-image.

— Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

Ustel said the ferry faced adverse weather conditions and began taking in water just 15 minutes after departure.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
The report identified adverse effects on dozens of historic properties, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and other landmarks.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of adverse

Adjective

California was among dozens of states that sued Meta in 2023, alleging in a lawsuit that the social media giant intentionally designed harmful and addictive features to hook children while misleading the public about the dangers.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The report said the company was strengthening its research infrastructure, increasing monitoring and improving safeguards designed to prevent harmful or unintended behavior.

— Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Arjun Bhatia, an analyst at William Blair who recommends buying Salesforce shares, said investors who turned negative on cloud software companies or eliminated their exposure altogether due to AI concerns, are starting to come back.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Much like Big Tobacco was forced to admit that cigarettes can cause cancer or Purdue Pharma was forced to stop downplaying the risks of OxyContin, this agreement now puts Meta’s core products in a negative light.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of negative

Adjective

Missing, say, 30 games would likely not be as damaging as missing half a season, or a whole season.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Strong El Niño events, such as the one revving up in the tropical Pacific, have rarely spared the Golden State from significant and damaging consequences.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

Among Republicans, 10% now give him an unfavorable rating, and among independents, 51%- 42% have an unfavorable view.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
First responders also urge residents not to enter the water at all when swimming is prohibited, especially during unfavorable weather.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfavorable

Adjective

Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

prejudices

prejudicial

prejudicing

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“Prejudicial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prejudicial. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prejudicial

adjective

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