as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the pernicious effects of illegal narcotics on society
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pernicious
That pernicious lack of knowledge, sadly, persists to this day.
—
Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
One of the most persistent, pernicious myths in politics is the idea that parties out of power have leaders anymore.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
By being seen as seriously pursuing domestic reform, the Administration may be able to garner deals for the phasing out of particularly pernicious ACMDs.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Air pollution of all forms can be detrimental to health, but the tiny particles in smoke are particularly pernicious.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pernicious
Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
One of the most persistent, pernicious myths in politics is the idea that parties out of power have leaders anymore.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
By being seen as seriously pursuing domestic reform, the Administration may be able to garner deals for the phasing out of particularly pernicious ACMDs.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Air pollution of all forms can be detrimental to health, but the tiny particles in smoke are particularly pernicious.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pernicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pernicious
Adjective
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The Quince style is dyed without harmful chemicals, giving the pants a one-of-a-kind look.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
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To Trump, of course, gutting the Civil Rights Act is likely to be a point of pride, enabling the government to focus on more urgent matters, such as protecting white students from the purportedly harmful effects of diversity-equity-and-inclusion programs.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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This connection would become increasingly important over the twentieth century, as the rapid development of technological infrastructure created ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous sensitivities to geomagnetic storms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know In a video address, Probitkin said UnitedHealthcare has offered solutions that are one-sided and would be detrimental to patients and providers and accused big insurers like UnitedHealthcare of taking advantage of regional and safety net health care providers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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That’s not only unnecessary, but can be detrimental to the plants and the wider ecosystem.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean are staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of extreme rainfall and damaging winds with a strengthening Tropical Storm Melissa expected to become a major hurricane over some of the hottest ocean water on the planet.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Despite how terribly damaging America has been recently, that country and those ideals remain worth fighting for.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe and some people are at even higher risk of adverse effects, warned the agency, including young children, people of child-bearing age and people who are breastfeeding.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Given an adverse court ruling (related to another firm) that was adverse to Netflix, management recognized the expense this quarter.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pernicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernicious. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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