insidious
insidious Lexical Profile
insidious Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful or destructive effects.
"Chronic stress can have an insidious impact on long-term cardiovascular health."
Intended to entrap, beguile, or deceive; treacherous and crafty.
"The investigator uncovered an insidious scheme designed to defraud elderly investors."
Developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent (used especially of a disease or medical condition).
"Glaucoma is known for its insidious onset, often causing significant vision loss before a patient notices any symptoms."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with 'invidious', which describes something likely to arouse resentment, envy, or ill will through unfair comparisons.
• Rhymes for insidious
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin 'insidiosus' ('cunning, deceitful'), derived from 'insidiae' ('ambush'), from 'insidere' ('to sit in or lie in wait'), combining 'in-' ('in, upon') and 'sedere' ('to sit').