in
si
dious
Comparative
more insidious
Superlative
most insidious
1
designed to lure, ensnare, or catch someone in a deceitful way
- The spy set an insidious trap for his target.
- The scam was insidious, built to trick the elderly.
- They uncovered an insidious plot to blackmail the mayor.
- His insidious plan relied on hidden clauses in the contract.
- She spotted the insidious flattery and refused to play along.
2
gradually causing harm without being obvious at first
- The insidious erosion of trust damaged the team.
- Stress often has insidious effects on the body.
- Propaganda can be insidious, shaping minds unnoticed.
- Poverty's insidious impact on education is hard to reverse.
- The insidious effects of noise pollution go unnoticed.
Synonyms:
3
(of illnesses or conditions) progressing unnoticed until advanced
- Diabetes can be insidious, showing no symptoms for years.
- The insidious cancer spread before doctors detected it.
- Hypertension is an insidious condition, often ignored until too late.
- The insidious progression of Alzheimer's left the family unprepared.
- The virus was insidious, lying dormant before flaring up.