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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of insidious
Regular consumption of the extra sugar in the drinks can lead to obesity, harm liver function and increase the risk of heart disease, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, an especially insidious disease that can lead to blindness, amputations and premature death.
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Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Unlike the visible opioid epidemic or the tangible tobacco wars of the 20th century, this crisis is just as insidious.
—Andrae Bailey, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025
While the postmortem and soul-searching are necessary, the tone and tenor of the blame game have begun to morph into something more insidious.
—Anthony D. Romero, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2024
One digital strategist at an independent record label worried that the problem could soon grow more insidious.
—Liz Pelly, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insidious 
Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Unlike the visible opioid epidemic or the tangible tobacco wars of the 20th century, this crisis is just as insidious.
—Andrae Bailey, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025
While the postmortem and soul-searching are necessary, the tone and tenor of the blame game have begun to morph into something more insidious.
—Anthony D. Romero, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2024
One digital strategist at an independent record label worried that the problem could soon grow more insidious.
—Liz Pelly, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insidious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insidious
Adjective
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Moreover, the treacherous weather conditions also hampered efforts to fight the fires, as air crews were unable to operate due to strong gusts.Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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With a winter storm warning in effect and a mix of snow and ice falling in North Texas, roads in the Dallas-Fort Worth area could become treacherous around midday Thursday, Jan. 9, and into Friday.Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But planet-scale warming is probably affecting weather basically every day, even if the impacts are subtle.Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
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Cacio e pepe, with its Parmesan and black pepper, is more subtle.Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Those who disputed the accuracy of an account and thought their report had been corrected instead see the same false information reappear without explanation, the agency found.Kate Gibson, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025
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Users from a diverse range of perspectives would then reach an agreement on whether content is false, Kaplan said in a blog post.Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Franklin County and River Valley Coalition recently accused officials of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and a division of the building authority of being deceptive and called for an investigation.Alex Golden, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
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Penelope in the Odyssey says that dreams that pass through the gate of ivory are deceptive, while those that pass through the gate of horn are real.Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Since then, Putin has sought instead to rally the public to the defense of a motherland besieged by the perfidious and cunning West.Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
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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
Adjective
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Approximately 780,000 incorrect charges totaling over 2 billion forints ($5.43 million) in one night.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, 30% of workers are concerned with AI hallucinations, which is when AI generates incorrect information as a result of poor training or inaccurate assumptions.Gary Drenik, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The major components are: Assessing the situation – noting changes, considering what else is going on, and determining if others have noticed anything wrong.R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
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After watching Darnold struggle Sunday, that doesn’t feel so wrong.Mike Sando, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near insidious
Cite this Entry
“Insidious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insidious. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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