Perniciously

Perniciously describes something that is subtly harmful, damaging, or destructive. It implies a slow, insidious, and often hidden way of causing serious harm. This harm might manifest physically, mentally, socially, or morally. The impact is often long-lasting and difficult to counteract once established. It suggests a threat that is persistent and potentially fatal. Think of a poison that slowly works its way through a system, or a belief that erodes someone's values over time. The word emphasizes the dangerous and treacherous nature of the subject.

Perniciously meaning with examples

• The politician's propaganda campaign perniciously distorted facts, planting seeds of distrust within the electorate, gradually undermining the public's faith in established institutions. The subtle manipulation of information created a divided society, making rational debate and compromise nearly impossible. This insidious tactic had long-lasting consequences on the nation's stability and cohesion.
• The parasitic fungus spread perniciously through the forest, silently killing the trees and devastating the ecosystem. Its impact was unseen at first, but over time, the forest began to thin and decay, threatening the habitats of various animals. Efforts to combat the spread were constantly one step behind the fungus.
• The addiction to social media acted perniciously, gradually isolating her from the real world and fueling a constant need for validation. The constant barrage of carefully constructed online personas led to feelings of inadequacy. Her mental health suffered as she struggled with comparison. The internet eroded her self-worth.
• The culture of silence around the issue festered perniciously, allowing prejudice to quietly take root and grow unchallenged. The reluctance to address these issues allowed discrimination to thrive in schools. The pervasive nature of this silence made meaningful change difficult.
• The economic policies implemented by the company impacted the lives of the workers. They were implemented, as these policies affected the employees' livelihoods. This negatively affected employees, who relied on these jobs to survive. This eventually lead to a devastating financial ruin.