pernicious

[ per-nish-uhs ]

adjective

1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful:

   pernicious teachings;

   a pernicious lie.

   Synonyms: malicious, noxious, baneful, damaging, destructive, deleterious, detrimental, harmful

2. deadly; fatal:

   a pernicious disease.

   Synonyms: lethal

3. Obsolete. evil; wicked.

pernicious

/ pəˈnɪʃəs /

adjective

1. wicked or malicious

   pernicious lies

2. causing grave harm; deadly

Derived Forms

• perˈniciously, adverb
• perˈniciousness, noun

Other Words From

• per·nicious·ly adverb
• per·nicious·ness noun
• unper·nicious adjective
• unper·nicious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pernicious¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin perniciōsus “ruinous,” from pernici(ēs) “ruin” (from per- per- + -nici-, combining form of nex “death, murder” + -ēs, noun suffix) + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pernicious¹

C16: from Latin perniciōsus, from perniciēs ruin, from per- (intensive) + nex death

Example Sentences

That might sound cool at a Trump rally, but Republicans aren’t ready either for the horrific optics of such an operation, or its pernicious economic effects.

From Slate

We cannot and should not discount the pernicious effects of sexism and racism on this election, especially when those attitudes are often under the surface or largely unconscious, and are certainly not limited to white men.

From Salon

I think this is pernicious nonsense.

From Los Angeles Times

The Mayor of London has written to every primary school in London asking them to help counter the "pernicious influence" of misogynists such as Andrew Tate.

From BBC

And that’s why Coates’ cartoonish understanding of Israel and the Palestinians is so pernicious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• damaging
• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• detrimental
• devastating
• harmful
• lethal
• malicious
• nefarious
• noxious
• poisonous
• ruinous
• toxic
• virulent