pernicious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“In an environment where you’re fighting for a promotion … It’s just a further incentive to agents to engage in this kind of activity. So it’s pernicious on multiple levels.”

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

A similarly pernicious logic has insulated law enforcement from legal accountability for generations.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

The five-year bout of high inflation is part of the pernicious legacy of the coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 23, 2026

More bizarre and pernicious ideas are soon oozing from Peter’s every pore, beginning with the belief that the motel room is infested with insects that are feasting on his flesh.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The reasoning behind the rule is not pernicious: the lawmakers presumed that a prison visit would negatively affect the sensitive psyches of children.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela