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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insidious
So parties like Germany’s AfD and Hungary’s Fidesz developed an insidious three-step maneuver:
Boldly and loudly champion Israel and its right-wing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to create pro-Jewish bona fides.
—
Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025
These genocidal campaigns have yet to be globally recognized, yet their lingering effects continue today in more insidious ways due to Kurdish aggression.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Further, the countries at the receiving end deserve to be spared the insidious effects of ideological colonization.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
The researchers even showed that the flavors can be released remotely through an online connection, which has both fun and truly insidious implications.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insidious
Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025
These genocidal campaigns have yet to be globally recognized, yet their lingering effects continue today in more insidious ways due to Kurdish aggression.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Further, the countries at the receiving end deserve to be spared the insidious effects of ideological colonization.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
The researchers even showed that the flavors can be released remotely through an online connection, which has both fun and truly insidious implications.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insidious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insidious
Adjective
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Their stories are full of danger: treacherous rivers, unforgiving terrain, and the constant threat of violence and exploitation.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
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But in between lies a tense and treacherous journey…In Wolof and French with English subtitles.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mulaney’s approach to social commentary on his show is even more subtle; sometimes, concentrating a sketch on a character like Willy Loman is enough.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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The game is a fun but challenging exercise for your brain which asks players to group words based on subtle and sometimes tricky connections, which tests your logic and language skills.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In June of 2023, police approached her residence after receiving a false tip about child abuse.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
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Looking down into the pit is not a powerful moment — looking up at this teenager that is desperate to get out of the wilderness and kill this false prophet in Lottie is powerful.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, when adjusted for inflation, real prices in Turkey have dropped by 10.4 percent, illustrating how price growth can be deceptive without factoring in inflation.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
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Had these assessments been conducted, issues like algorithmic bias, content manipulation and deceptive AI practices would have been flagged before litigators intervened.—
Patrick Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The result is a cacophonous temper tantrum, a vacuous and perfidious advertisement for military recruitment.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
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Jake Gyllenhaal is his foil as the perfidious Iago, who goads Othello into unreasoning jealousy with lies about his beloved Desdemona (Molly Osborne).—
New York Times,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Although some posters online have suggested the streetlamp are emitting ultraviolet or black light, that's incorrect, Davis said.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
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When that happens, inferring eligibility based on the tax unit claiming the child would be incorrect.—
Elaine Maag,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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Five justices said the lawsuit was brought in the wrong venue.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insidious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insidious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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