insidious

USAGE SUMMARY

'insidious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slowly and subtly dangerous or harmful. Example sentence: "The insidious spread of the virus has caused many people to become ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So this year, we're publishing our second annual "it's happening" gallery designed to inspire, excite and counter the insidious narrative from the climate sceptics and go-slowers, that the UK is engaged in some kind of unique and isolated climate folly.

The Guardian

Buried in thousands of pages of court documents, I found wiretap transcripts and FBI surveillance logs and testimonies in which the details of insidious global conspiracies had been laid bare.

The Guardian - Books

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.32pm AEST02:32 I'm enjoying the insidious and slightly sleazy Baby I Am Nobody Now by Sydney's Andy Bull.

The Guardian

Fossil fuel interests increasingly supplement disinformation with insidious, defeatist, and self-serving misinformation: decades of fossil fuel burning as inevitable for human prosperity; renewable energy expansion as "difficult - if not impossible"; and climate regulation as "highly unlikely" to sway business-as-usual.

The Guardian - Opinion

But more insidious in the short term is the fact that the unlimited expansion of any popular school, a coalition policy in the last parliament, means there is nothing to stop existing grammar schools bidding to open "annexes" (in effect new selective schools) locally.

The Guardian

Back then, the less insidious audio tape helped.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alluding to dysfunction in policymaking is a more insidious rebuke than recusal from a single policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"... the quantity of pro-Kremlin trolling on this topic … which has been documented extensively since 2012 as a real and insidious threat to online communities of idea and debate, has rendered commenting on these articles all but meaningless, and a worthless exercise in futility and frustration for anyone not already being mind-controlled by the Kremlin".

The Guardian - Opinion

Its manifestation in public discourse is via the broad brush of identity politics – the insidious notion of reducing individuals to groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report describes these matters as elements of Lowry's "insidious and pervasive influence" on the process.

The Guardian

These superficial reforms might be better than nothing, but they barely treat the symptom of insidious American loan practices, let alone cure the disease of massive disinvestment in public education at all levels.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "insidious" with nouns that represent systems, ideologies, or forces to emphasize their subtle yet pervasive nature. For example: "insidious influence", "insidious corruption", "insidious disease".

Common error

Avoid using "insidious" to describe something that is immediately apparent or easily noticed. "Insidious" implies a gradual and subtle effect that is not readily recognized.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "insidious" primarily functions to qualify a noun, emphasizing its subtle and gradual harmfulness. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable word. Examples show it modifying words like "narrative", "conspiracies", and "influence".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Opinion

12%

Books

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "insidious" describes something subtly and gradually harmful, often with a deceptive or treacherous quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Commonly found in news, opinion pieces, and books, it warns about hidden dangers. To use it effectively, remember that it's not suitable for describing overt, obvious threats. Think of pairing it with abstract nouns like "influence" or "corruption" to emphasize its subtle, pervasive nature. While not inherently formal, it appears more frequently in analytical writing than casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subtly harmful

Focuses on the understated nature of the harm caused.

gradually destructive

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the destruction.

treacherously deceptive

Emphasizes the element of betrayal and misleading appearances.

perniciously damaging

Emphasizes the highly injurious or destructive quality.

deceptively dangerous

Highlights the misleading nature of the danger involved.

slyly menacing

Conveys a sense of cunning and threatening presence.

craftily malevolent

Focuses on the skillful and evil intentions behind the action.

stealthily destructive

Emphasizes the secretive and damaging nature.

corrupting influence

Focuses on the act of spoiling or making something immoral.

underhand tactic

Emphasizes the method used is secret and possibly illegal.

FAQs

How can I use "insidious" in a sentence?

"Insidious" is used to describe something that is subtly harmful or treacherous. For example, "The "insidious effects" of the policy were not immediately apparent."

What words are similar to "insidious"?

Similar words include "subtle harmful", "perniciously damaging", or "treacherously deceptive", each carrying a slightly different connotation of gradual harm or deceit.

Is "insidious" a positive or negative word?

"Insidious" is a negative word. It describes something harmful, deceptive, or treacherous, and is never used in a positive context.

What's the difference between "insidious" and "sinister"?

"Insidious" implies a subtle and gradual harm, whereas "sinister" suggests a more overt and immediate threat. Something "slyly menacing" could be immediately perceived as dangerous, while something insidious is harmful in a way that is not initially noticeable.