SUBLETHAL Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

sublethal

adjective

Definition of sublethal

as in toxic

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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 sublethal Documenting often-invisible, sublethal effects in wild animals that are definitively linked to plastic itself has remained elusive. — Matthew Savoca, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023 But subtler, sublethal effects, like those described above for DDT, could be much farther-reaching. — Matthew Savoca, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023 The third is that this dosage was sublethal, just to send a message. — Ellen Barry and Ceylan Yeginsu, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2018 There’s a growing body of evidence, too, that neonicotinoids may have sublethal effects, says Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a bee researcher at the University of Maryland who was not involved in the new study. — Lindsey Konkel, National Geographic, 26 July 2016

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sublethal

Adjective

But this type of [toxic] female figure is a widespread archetype even in other places and parts of the world.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Caused by a defective gene for an enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate heparan sulfate, it is characterized by a buildup of toxic material in tissues, including brain cells.

— Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

The team confirmed that those eggs developed into infective third-stage larvae.

— Jay Kakade August 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026
His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.

— Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Definition of infective

Adjective

The isotopes that make up radiopharmaceuticals are just as virulent as the beam radiation patients have begrudgingly tolerated for decades.

— Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026
The feminist progress of the past half century has been met with a virulent backlash of misogyny.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of virulent

Adjective

But the point was just that Nick’s character is emulating Sheridan’s poisonous corrupted values, and the internet is a vehicle for that relationship.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
For this reason, these poisonous mushrooms are more commonly confused with other types of edible mushrooms like chicken of the woods and chanterelles (more on these in a minute).

— Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of infectious

Adjective

During this time, bogs, marshes, and other wetlands, historically seen as disease-ridden and deleterious to human health, were reevaluated by scientists and conservationists as valuable wildlife habitats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
The effects of this are going to be really deleterious to this whole thing.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Definition of deleterious

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

The report highlighted the gene-editing tool CRISPR, in particular, for its revolutionary positive and simultaneously pernicious potential.

— Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
But herein also lie some of the issues that de-normalizing alcohol consumption brings to light, including its overlap with other, equally pernicious public health crises.

— Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of pernicious

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sublet

sublethal

sublets

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“Sublethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sublethal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sublethal

adjective

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