sublethal

adjective

Definition of sublethalnext
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
  1. toxic
  2. infective
  3. virulent
  4. poisonous
  5. infectious
  6. deleterious
  7. harmful
  8. pernicious
Adjective
  • For instance, puffer fish is toxic and potentially lethal if consumed by humans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Biological labs working with deadly pathogens, finance companies trading billions of dollars, and chemical plants handling toxic chemicals all face oversight of their internal operations, not just their external products.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of toxic
Adjective
  • 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
  • On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 July 2024
Definition of infective
Adjective
  • The feminist progress of the past half century has been met with a virulent backlash of misogyny.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Further tests showed that the thick sticky coating made these bacteria more virulent than the normal-looking bacteria from the first urine sample.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
Definition of virulent
Adjective
  • The lionfish's poisonous spikes can badly hurt anyone who’s stung.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Ensure that chewable cords and poisonous plants are far out of reach.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of poisonous
Adjective
  • Parents should understand that infectious pathogens like viruses and bacteria have not disappeared, but rather remain under control when vaccination rates stay high.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That infectious work ethic apparently already had resurfaced on Day One.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of infectious
Adjective
  • The quickest way to artificially boost a company’s stock price is to slash R&D, gut capex, and initiate massive share buybacks, often with deleterious long-term consequences.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • Lawyers have been accused of unnecessary complexity, deleterious delay, excessive cost, and self-interest for centuries.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of deleterious
Adjective
  • The Australian watchdog's claim, filed to the federal court Wednesday, said the unlimited broadcast size of Telegram channels meant the app must take responsibility for culling harmful material.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • During the 2015-16 season, for instance, Dungeness crabs off the coast of California were infected by a harmful algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, which causes domoic acid poisoning in crabs, fish, birds and marine mammals.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of harmful
Adjective
  • 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
  • Spector is clearly concerned with the pernicious consequences of technology, its ability to numb emotions and steer people into ideological cul-de-sacs.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Definition of pernicious

Browse Nearby Words

sublet
sublethal
sublets
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Cite this Entry

“Sublethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sublethal. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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