Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [in-sid-ee-uh s]
- /ɪnˈsɪd i əs/
- /ɪnˈsɪd.i.əs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [in-sid-ee-uh s]
- /ɪnˈsɪd i əs/
Definitions of insidious word
- adjective insidious intended to entrap or beguile: an insidious plan. 1
- adjective insidious stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy. 1
- adjective insidious operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect: an insidious disease. 1
- noun insidious Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects. 1
- adjective insidious cunning 1
- adjective insidious treacherous 1
Information block about the term
Origin of insidious
First appearance:
before 1535 One of the 29% oldest English words
1535-45; < Latin insidiōsus deceitful, equivalent to insidi(ae) (plural) an ambush (derivative of insidēre to sit in or on) + -ōsus -ous; see sit1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Insidious
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
insidious popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
insidious usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for insidious
adj insidious
- subtle — thin, tenuous, or rarefied, as a fluid or an odor.
- dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.
- machiavellian — of, like, or befitting Machiavelli.
- artful — If you describe someone as artful, you mean that they are clever and skilful at achieving what they want, especially by deceiving people.
- astute — If you describe someone as astute, you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations, and are skilful at using this knowledge to their own advantage.
adjective insidious
- sinister — threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous: a sinister remark.
- devious — If you describe someone as devious you do not like them because you think they are dishonest and like to keep things secret, often in a complicated way.
- underhand — not open and aboveboard; secret and crafty or dishonorable: an underhand deal with the chief of police.
- tricky — given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.
- ensnaring — Present participle of ensnare.
Antonyms for insidious
adj insidious
- honest — honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair: an honest person.
- sincere — free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest: a sincere apology.
- fair — free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice: a fair decision; a fair judge.
- open — not closed or barred at the time, as a doorway by a door, a window by a sash, or a gateway by a gate: to leave the windows open at night.
adjective insidious
- harmless — without the power or desire to do harm; innocuous: He looks mean but he's harmless; a harmless Halloween prank.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with i
- Words starting with in
- Words starting with ins
- Words starting with insi
- Words starting with insid
- Words starting with insidi
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- Words starting with insidiou
- Words starting with insidious