as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
the pernicious effects of illegal narcotics on society
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Recent Examples of pernicious
Many scandals arise from the occasion of these activities, and adulteries and other outrageous crimes are committed as a clear offence to God, a very serious danger to the souls of those committing them, and a pernicious example to others.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
One of the most pernicious forms of homegrown mass violence is school shootings.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2025
The groper was a lowlife—a deranged doctor, bent on harvesting astronaut semen for pernicious procreative ends.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
On the surface, dietary advice to eat more vegetables hardly seems pernicious.
—Rachel Hope Cleves / Made By History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pernicious
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
One of the most pernicious forms of homegrown mass violence is school shootings.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2025
The groper was a lowlife—a deranged doctor, bent on harvesting astronaut semen for pernicious procreative ends.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
On the surface, dietary advice to eat more vegetables hardly seems pernicious.
—Rachel Hope Cleves / Made By History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pernicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pernicious
Adjective
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This vaporized the harmful metals in the red mud, and left behind a purified compound rich in aluminum.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
-
No one has gotten sick, but lead can be harmful to young children’s development.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Demonizing or attempting to eliminate those who think differently – literally or symbolically – has become a dangerous norm, which is all too evident in the wake of the Kirk shooting.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
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During volatile periods, this becomes especially dangerous because customer loyalty becomes more fragile and harder to rebuild.—
Talbott Roche,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Research is also abundant on the long-term detrimental impact of childhood trauma on a person’s mental and physical health through their adult life.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
-
It can be gone in the blink of an eye, so to spend it on people that aren’t fulfilling me and to spend it on work that isn’t fulfilling me, to spend it on anything that isn’t fulfilling, is detrimental to him.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The primary hazard with the upcoming weather will be lightning — the storms are not expected to bring damaging winds, large hail or flooding, Sheppard said.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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This makes the AirLight Pro more efficient (less heat is lost to the air), less damaging (not as much heat is needed to dry your hair), and seriously speedy.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Children and those who are breastfeeding or of child-bearing age may be at higher risk for potential adverse effects.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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These interactions can alter the effectiveness of either product or other medications taken concurrently and/or increase the incidence of adverse effects.—
Pearl Pugh,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pernicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pernicious. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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