Deleteriously

Deleteriously is an adverb that describes something having a harmful effect. It signifies causing damage, injury, or impairment. When something acts deleteriously, it negatively impacts a person, organism, system, or situation. This term often implies a gradual or insidious form of harm, rather than an immediate or catastrophic one. For instance, pollutants can deleteriously affect an ecosystem over time, or stress can deleteriously impact a person's health. The word is derived from the adjective "deleterious," which means harmful or destructive. Its usage suggests a significant and negative consequence resulting from an action, substance, or condition. The focus is on the detrimental outcome.