Perjudicial

Adjective. Causing or tending to cause prejudice; detrimental or harmful to someone or something. This implies an unfair bias or damage, especially to the rights, reputation, or interests of an individual or group. It can relate to actions, statements, or situations that create a negative preconceived notion or disadvantage. It is often used in legal contexts to describe evidence or actions that unfairly sway a jury or damage a person's case, but also broadly used in everyday settings.

Perjudicial meaning with examples

• The lawyer argued that the introduction of the defendant's prior criminal record was highly prejudicial, potentially influencing the jury's judgment and making a fair trial impossible. Its damaging effect on the suspect could unfairly influence the court, rendering it hard to find the defendant innocent.
• The media's biased reporting and sensationalism, fueled by a series of exaggerated accounts, was seen as prejudicial, inciting public anger and damaging the reputation of the accused before any evidence had been presented in court. This fueled a series of heated discussions and accusations.
• The company's discriminatory hiring practices created a prejudicial environment, where qualified candidates from specific backgrounds were unfairly overlooked. The unfair practices damaged employee morale and brought the firm under scrutiny from the public.
• The judge ruled that the witness's statement contained prejudicial information and ordered it to be stricken from the record to ensure a fair trial. It would ensure that the defendant had a fair chance at showing his innocence in the court.
• The professor's subjective grading system and expressed biases created a prejudicial learning environment, with the students facing unfair assessments. This damaged the students' chances to get fair assessment based on their capabilities.