pernicious (adj.)

harmful in a subtle way

Examples

• A pernicious influence.

Key rules

• Pernicious means harmful in a subtle or gradual way
• A pernicious influence, pernicious habits
• Perniciously is the adverb

Common mistakes

• A pernicious of influence → A pernicious influence

Use cases

• Describing bad influences
• Describing health risks
• Discussing social problems