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 findings come just a couple years after another study conducted by Spanish and Brazilian researchers revealed the existence of potentially harmful bisphenol chemicals in clothing sold in Spain for pregnant women, newborns and toddlers.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
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According to one study, people may become either psychologically or physically dependent on caffeine, which may be harmful.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
22 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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Mercury is a neurotoxin and can have detrimental effects on our health if levels are too high.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
20 Oct. 2025
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The Vikings’ run defense has been detrimental to an otherwise strong group on that side of the ball.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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