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insidious Definition

in·sidi·ous (in sidē əs)

adjective

  1. characterized by treachery or slyness; crafty; wily
  2. operating in a slow or not easily apparent manner; more dangerous than seems evident an insidious disease

Etymology: L insidiosus < insidiae, an ambush, plot < insidere, to sit in or on, lie in wait for < in-, in + sedere, to sit

insidious Related Forms
in·sidi·ously adverb in·sidi·ous·ness noun
insidious Synonyms

insidious

modif.

deceptive, ensnaring, treacherous, stealthy; see dishonest 1, false 1, secret 3, sly 1.

insidious Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • onset: The condition may be insidious in onset, caused by infection, infarction or insufficient insulin.

Modifies a noun

  • onset: Some patients, however, present with a more insidious onset.
  • threat: There is a more insidious threats to Gulf stability.
  • plot: This is an insidious plot to stop you getting involved with the electric mania in which you wire up hundreds of lightbulbs.
  • danger: A more insidious danger is horizontal gene transfer - the transfer of genetic material directly to unrelated species.
  • influence: Too many scientists are becoming modern peddlers of snake oil under the insidious influence of the corporate culture.
  • nature: The insidious nature of the EU is such that the majority of British citizens do not even recognize the threat.

Modifying Another Word

  • particularly: I think it is a particularly insidious form of plagiarism.
  • so: So insidious in people's minds, so full of surprises.
  • very: I know we are working against an enemy who is very insidious in his methods.
  • often: Its onset is often insidious, leading to delays in diagnosis.
  • especially: Few people see any real difference between the various forms of PC pest, but Trojans are an especially insidious bunch.
  • usually: The disease pattern is usually insidious with peripheral mono- or oligoarthritis.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Footnotes [ 1 ] Increasingly the spam is becoming more insidious.