pernicious
per-NISH-uhs, adjective
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
“The pernicious habit of trading sleep for work caught up with him by forty.”
Difficulty: advanced. One of 440 entries written and checked by hand.
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More advanced words
- sycophant A person who flatters the powerful to gain advantage.
- taciturn Habitually quiet and reserved in speech.
- vociferous Expressing opinions loudly and forcefully.
- alacrity Brisk, cheerful readiness or eagerness.
- cacophony A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
- deleterious Causing harm or damage, often in an unexpected way.
- fastidious Extremely attentive to detail and accuracy; hard to please.
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Nearby: peripatetic perspicacious All 440 words