Word meaning
insidious
adjective · in-SID-ee-us
What does insidious mean?
Insidious means proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects.
Insidious in a sentence
“Burnout is insidious: you don't notice it until it's serious.”
Synonyms for insidious
- stealthy
- subtle
- treacherous
Where does insidious come from?
From Latin insidiae, "ambush."
How to remember insidious
- Say it out loud a few times: in-SID-ee-us.
- Write one sentence of your own using insidious, about something that happened to you today.
- Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.
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- procrastinate — to delay or postpone action.
- mitigate — to make something less severe, serious, or painful.