Insidious

Meanings

1. Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects
2. Treacherous and crafty
3. Stealthily dangerous

Example Sentences

• "The insidious spread of misinformation on social media is a growing concern."
• "Diabetes is an insidious disease that can cause damage long before symptoms appear."
• "The insidious influence of corruption slowly eroded public trust in the system."

Etymology

From Latin 'insidiosus' (cunning, deceitful), from 'insidiae' (ambush, plot), from 'insidere' (to sit in, lie in wait), from 'in-' (in) + 'sedere' (to sit). The image is of a predator sitting in ambush.

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