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Prejudicial: meaning, definitions and examples

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prejudicial

 

[ˌprɛdʒʊˈdɪʃəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in legal context

Causing or having the potential to cause harm, damage, or disadvantage.

Synonyms

damaging, detrimental, harmful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
prejudicial

Similar to the first entry, emphasizing legal or official harm or bias.

  • His comments could be prejudicial to the ongoing investigation.
  • Prejudicial treatment in the workplace can lead to legal consequences.
harmful

This word is commonly used in everyday language to describe something that causes physical, emotional, or environmental damage.

  • Certain chemicals in the water can be harmful to fish.
  • Too much sun exposure can be harmful to your skin.
damaging

This word is more general and can be used in everyday situations to describe something that causes harm or injury, either physically or metaphorically.

  • The scandal had a damaging effect on her reputation.
  • Smoking is damaging to your health.
detrimental

This word is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe something that has a negative impact on something else.

  • Lack of exercise can be detrimental to your health.
  • His actions were detrimental to the team's success.

Examples of usage

  • The judge ruled that the prejudicial evidence could not be admitted in court.
  • His comments were deemed prejudicial to the defendant's case.
Context #2 | Adjective

in general context

Showing a bias or unfair judgment towards a particular group or individual.

Synonyms

biased, discriminatory, prejudiced.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
prejudicial

Use in formal contexts, especially in legal and official documents, to describe something that could harm or negatively influence a situation.

  • The judge ruled that the evidence was prejudicial and could not be admitted to the trial.
  • Her comments were seen as highly prejudicial against the defendant.
biased

Use in everyday language to describe an unfair tendency to favor one side, opinion, or group over another.

  • He was biased against the new policies from the start.
  • This article seems biased and does not provide a balanced view.
discriminatory

Reserved for situations where unequal treatment against individuals or groups based on specific characteristics like race, gender, or age is present. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The company's hiring practices were found to be discriminatory against women.
  • Discriminatory laws have no place in a civilized society.
prejudiced

Frequently used in everyday language to describe someone who has negative beliefs or feelings towards a certain group of people without any real reason.

  • She is prejudiced against people from other countries.
  • His comments reveal a deeply prejudiced mindset.

Examples of usage

  • The article contained prejudicial remarks against immigrants.
  • His prejudicial attitude towards women was evident in his behavior.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Latin 'praejudicialis', meaning 'previous judgment'.
  • It first appeared in English legal texts during the 14th century, reflecting early legal practices.
  • The prefix 'pre-' means 'before', and 'judicial' relates to judgments, showing the word's connection to unfairly decided matters.

Legal Context

  • In law, prejudicial evidence is information that may unfairly sway a jury or judge against a party.
  • Legal decisions can be labelled 'prejudicial' if they result from bias, compromising the fairness of a trial.
  • Certain laws aim to prevent prejudicial practices to ensure equal treatment for all individuals.

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases can lead to prejudicial attitudes, affecting how we perceive others before knowing their full story.
  • Stereotyping is a common form of prejudice, where assumptions are made about someone based on group characteristics.
  • Interventions in psychology focus on reducing prejudicial thinking to foster better understanding and cooperation among people.

Social Issues

  • Prejudicial attitudes have historically contributed to discrimination in various societies, impacting groups based on race, gender, or beliefs.
  • Educational programs aim to combat prejudicial views by promoting empathy and understanding across cultures.
  • Public policy often addresses prejudicial practices to ensure fair treatment and equality in the legal system.

Media Influence

  • Media representations can perpetuate prejudicial views by emphasizing stereotypes in films and news outlets.
  • Social media often acts as a platform where prejudicial opinions can spread rapidly without context or accurate information.
  • Campaigns against prejudicial narratives are increasingly common, seeking to inform and challenge biases in public discourse.

Translations

Translations of the word "prejudicial" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prejudicial

🇮🇳 हानिकारक

🇩🇪 schädlich

🇮🇩 merugikan

🇺🇦 шкідливий

🇵🇱 szkodliwy

🇯🇵 有害な

🇫🇷 préjudiciable

🇪🇸 perjudicial

🇹🇷 zararlı

🇰🇷 해로운

🇸🇦 ضار

🇨🇿 škodlivý

🇸🇰 škodlivý

🇨🇳 有害的

🇸🇮 škodljiv

🇮🇸 skaðlegur

🇰🇿 зиянды

🇬🇪 ზიანის მომტანი

🇦🇿 zərərlidir

🇲🇽 perjudicial

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,756 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.