pernicious
5 synonyms and 4 antonyms for pernicious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Causing harm gradually or in a way that is not immediately obvious.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use pernicious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pernicious effect
pernicious influence
pernicious anemia
Etymology
From Latin perniciosus ("destructive"), from pernicies ("ruin, death").
Full origin of pernicious →Frequently asked questions
What does “pernicious” mean?
The word “pernicious” means causing harm gradually or in a way that is not immediately obvious. In plain terms, harmful in a slow, sneaky way that isn't obvious at first.
How do you pronounce “pernicious”?
“Pernicious” is pronounced puh-NIH-shuhs (/pɚˈnɪʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “pernicious” in a sentence?
Here is “pernicious” used in a sentence: “Low-level corruption can have a pernicious effect on public trust.”
What part of speech is “pernicious”?
“Pernicious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pernicious” come from?
The word “pernicious” comes from Latin. From Latin perniciosus ("destructive"), from pernicies ("ruin, death").
