English pronunciation · Words Starting with D
Deleterious Pronunciation
Deleterious is pronounced de-luh-TI-ree-uhs, IPA /ˌdɛləˈtɪriəs/.
de-luh-TI-ree-uhs
US /ˌdɛləˈtɪriəs/ · UK /dɪlɪˈtiərɪəs/
Syllables: de · luh · TI · ree · uhs (5 syllables, stress on syllable 3)
adjective: Causing harm or damage, often slowly and over time.
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Deleterious in a Sentence
- The policy had a deleterious effect on morale.
- Damp is deleterious to old plaster.
- Nothing deleterious was found in the sample.
Common Mispronunciations of Deleterious
Not di-LEET-ee-ree-uhs
This word has nothing to do with delete. It comes from a Greek root meaning to hurt.
Not de-luh-TE-ree-uhs
That pushed block holds the vowel of near, giving TI rather than TE.
Tip: Five beats and only the third is pushed, which is one beat more than most speakers expect.
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