pernicious

Advancedzipf 2.87

Pronunciation

/pəˈnɪʃəs/(puh-NISH-us)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

有害的；恶性的（危害极大但不易察觉）

Definition

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

Word family

  • perniciously/pəˈnɪʃəsli/(adv)有害地

Collocations

  • pernicious effect
  • pernicious influence
  • pernicious myth
  • pernicious habit

Examples

  1. 1.Racism is a pernicious force that undermines social cohesion. (deeply harmful)
  2. 2.The pernicious myth that success comes easily discourages hard work. (subtly destructive)

Synonyms

  • harmful/ˈhɑːmfʊl/— causing damage, general
  • insidious/ɪnˈsɪdiəs/— gradually harmful, sneaky
  • noxious/ˈnɒkʃəs/— toxic, harmful

Etymology

from Latin "perniciosus" = destructive — per- (thoroughly) + nex/necis (death) — leading to destruction