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pernicious

adjective/pərˈnɪʃ.əs/

definition

having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

example

The pernicious influence of fake news can undermine public trust in legitimate sources of information.

synonyms
harmfuldetrimentalmalign
word origin — from Latin 'perniciosus', meaning 'destructive, harmful', from 'pernicies' meaning 'ruin, destruction'

GRE Vocabulary — Set 95

Set 95 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: pernicious, antithetical, taciturn, protean, droll. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. pernicious · adjective/pərˈnɪʃ.əs/

    having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

    The pernicious influence of fake news can undermine public trust in legitimate sources of information.

    Synonyms: harmful, detrimental, malign

    Origin: from Latin 'perniciosus', meaning 'destructive, harmful', from 'pernicies' meaning 'ruin, destruction'

  2. antithetical · adjective/ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl/

    characterized by opposition or contrast

    His views on environmental conservation are antithetical to those of the corporation that prioritizes profit over sustainability.

    Synonyms: contradictory, opposing, opposite

    Origin: from Greek 'antithetikos', meaning 'opposed', derived from 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'thesis' meaning 'putting, placing'.

  3. taciturn · adjective/ˈtæsɪˌtɜrn/

    reserved or uncommunicative in speech

    Despite his taciturn demeanor, he possessed a wealth of knowledge that impressed everyone around him.

    Synonyms: reticent, reserved, silent

    Origin: From Latin taciturnus, from tacere meaning 'to be silent'

  4. protean · adjective/ˈproʊ.ti.ən/

    having the ability to change or adapt frequently; versatile

    Her protean talents allow her to excel in both acting and directing, often surprising audiences with her versatility.

    Synonyms: versatile, adaptable, changeable

    Origin: From the Greek 'Proteios', meaning 'of first importance' or 'primal', and related to Proteus, a Greek sea god known for his ability to change shape.

  5. droll · adjective/droʊl/

    having a humorous, peculiar, or whimsical quality

    The droll humor of the comedian left the audience in stitches, eagerly awaiting his next punchline.

    Synonyms: amusing, whimsical, funny

    Origin: The word 'droll' originates from the French word 'drole', meaning 'funny' or 'odd', which in turn comes from the Latin 'drolescus'.