pernicious

adjective
UK: /pəˈnɪʃ.əs/
US: /pɚˈnɪʃ.əs/

  1. Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

    1. Lies can be very pernicious to a relationship.
    2. The pernicious influence of political corruption was slowly destroying the city.

  2. Causing or capable of causing death or destruction; deadly.

    1. That snake's venom is incredibly pernicious.
    2. The pernicious effects of radiation exposure became evident years later, causing cancers.

Synonyms

damaging destructive detrimental harmful injurious noxious ruinous deleterious

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "pernicious" in English means: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way., Causing or capable of causing death or destruction; deadly..

The phonetic transcription of "pernicious" is /pəˈnɪʃ.əs/ in British English and /pɚˈnɪʃ.əs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "pernicious": damaging, destructive, detrimental, harmful, injurious, noxious, ruinous, deleterious.

Example usage of "pernicious": "Lies can be very pernicious to a relationship.". More examples on the page.