as in treacherous
formal
causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed
Most people with this insidious disease have no idea that they are infected. an insidious enemy
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Recent Examples of insidious
There also have been more insidious efforts, such as a vote-buying scheme in 2006 in Kentucky.
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Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Measures like insuring that a soror’s skin color is no darker than a paper bag may have fallen out of fashion, but more insidious forms of prejudice persist.
—Jazmine Hughes, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Breed’s supporters stand by her, hailing her as a homegrown champion who has led the city during a period of crisis that included a global pandemic and the insidious rise of fentanyl.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Reinforcing Negative Cycles One of the most insidious effects of emotional mirroring is the reinforcement of negative emotional cycles.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insidious 
Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Measures like insuring that a soror’s skin color is no darker than a paper bag may have fallen out of fashion, but more insidious forms of prejudice persist.
—Jazmine Hughes, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
Breed’s supporters stand by her, hailing her as a homegrown champion who has led the city during a period of crisis that included a global pandemic and the insidious rise of fentanyl.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Reinforcing Negative Cycles One of the most insidious effects of emotional mirroring is the reinforcement of negative emotional cycles.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insidious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insidious
Adjective
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Ferrer, her husband, and two daughters made it to the U.S. border in May after a treacherous trek that included passing bodies along their path.Kristen Taketa, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
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From Election Day to Inauguration Day, America will confront a treacherous 76 days in transferring power from President Biden to his successor — putting new stress on the political parties, the legal system and the culture.Mike Allen, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The effect of these systems is subtle, as the driver should feel heroic, not overridden.Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
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Google | 🌱💡 The tech company continues to roll out subtle but smart sustainability features across many of its platforms.CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Bear in mind that his campaign was replete with false claims — about immigration, jobs, inflation, crime and more.Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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Oz is the Penguin now — like everyone in Batman’s Rogues Gallery, a caricature of his own trauma, drawn to criminal means of false liberation.Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But deceptive narrative and form are not what wreaked havoc on Catherine’s life.Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
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See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election Day Labor activists, on the other hand, have called the measure a deceptive sham.Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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And in this new era of Sino-Western rivalry, the Olympics are also used by more nationalistic elements of the Chinese media as a way to portray China in a positive light against the perfidious Americans and Europeans.Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2024
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If Washington’s forays are conspicuous and its aims perfidious, its partners will not abet the next undertaking.Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2019
Adjective
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And when Reuters reported in April that Tesla had canceled plans for a $25,000 EV to focus on its robotaxi, Musk said the article was incorrect.Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
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But that hasn’t quieted Burgess, who says incorrect voter data wound up in the new system.Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Using the wrong product might harm your mattress and could even void its warranty.Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
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Global Breakout: Argo-esque Czech Oscar entry Waves is proving doubters wrong at the Box Office, Nancy writes.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near insidious
Cite this Entry
“Insidious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insidious. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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