pernicious
gb/pɚnˈɪʃəs/ us/pɚnˈɪʃəs/
C1
English
~ 9200
káros, romboló
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
pernicious [influence/effect] on [something]
The report warned of the pernicious effects of online misinformation on democratic elections.
A jelentés az online dezinformáció demokratikus választásokra gyakorolt káros hatásaira figyelmeztetett.
A pernicious culture of overwork has damaged employees’ mental health across the industry.
A túlmunka romboló kultúrája az egész ágazatban károsította a dolgozók mentális egészségét.
These seemingly harmless jokes can have a pernicious influence on how children view other cultures.
The film explores the pernicious role of corruption in everyday public life.
Smoking is a pernicious habit that often starts in youth and harms the body over many years.
Learner examples
The new law could have a pernicious effect on poor families.
Az új törvény káros hatással lehet a szegény családokra.
Social media can have a pernicious influence on how young people see themselves.
A közösségi média károsan befolyásolhatja azt, ahogyan a fiatalok önmagukat látják.
This pernicious myth makes many people afraid to ask for help.
Noise pollution is a pernicious problem in big cities.
A pernicious culture of stress grew slowly in the company.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *pernicious* to mean simply "very bad" in casual speech, where it sounds too formal or dramatic. It is best used in serious contexts (politics, health, society) and often suggests harm that is gradual, deep, or not obvious at first. Another mistake is confusing *pernicious* with *precious*; they are unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
extremely harmful, often slowly
Collocations
pernicious effects
|pernicious influence
|pernicious myth
|pernicious habit
|pernicious practice
|pernicious anemia
Synonyms
harmful (More general and less formal; does not always suggest something slow or hidden.)
|
destructive (Focuses on strong damage or ruin, not necessarily gradual or subtle.)
|
malignant (Often used medically or for very evil intentions; slightly more technical or dramatic.)
Antonyms
beneficial (Describes something that produces good or helpful results, the opposite of causing harm.)
|
harmless (Emphasizes the absence of any real danger or damage.)
Themes
society
|health
|danger
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very harmful, especially when the harm grows slowly and is not easy to see at first.
Causing great harm or damage, especially in a gradual, subtle, or hard-to-notice way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pernicious
IPA
GB/pɚnˈɪʃəs/
US/pɚnˈɪʃəs/
Syllables & stress
per - ni - cious (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pernicious
Word family
Core family
perniciously
adverb
Advanced or less common
perniciousness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.