INSIDIOUS: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for INSIDIOUS?

Need another word that means the same as “insidious”? Find 20 synonyms and 30 related words for “insidious” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Insidious” are: pernicious, subtle, stealthy, surreptitious, sneaking, cunning, crafty, machiavellian, artful, guileful, sly, wily, tricky, slick, deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, underhand, backhanded, indirect

Insidious as an Adjective

Definitions of "Insidious" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “insidious” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

  • Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects.
  • Working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way.
  • Intended to entrap.
  • Beguiling but harmful.

Synonyms of "Insidious" as an adjective (20 Words)

artfulClever or skilful, especially in a crafty or cunning way.
An artful choice of metaphors.
backhandedMade with the back of the hand facing in the direction of movement.
Coming from me teasing is a backhanded compliment.
craftyMarked by skill in deception.
A crafty crook faked an injury to escape from prison.
cunningAttractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness.
Cunning kittens.
deceitfulIntended to deceive.
A deceitful politician.
deceptiveDesigned to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently.
The deceptive calm in the eye of the storm.
dishonestDeceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive.
Dishonest politicians.
guilefulHaving or showing sly or cunning intelligence.
A supremely guileful and deceptive politician.
indirectNot as a direct effect or consequence.
Known as a shady indirect fellow.
machiavellianOf or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended.
perniciousExceedingly harmful.
The pernicious influences of the mass media.
slickMade slick by e g ice or grease.
A slick commercial.
slyMarked by skill in deception.
A sly sip of water.
sneakingNot openly expressed.
A sneaking suspicion.
stealthyBehaving or done in a cautious and surreptitious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.
Stealthy footsteps.
subtleCrafty; cunning.
The subtle fiend dissembled.
surreptitiousMarked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed.
A surreptitious glance at his watch.
tricky(of a task, problem, etc.) requiring care and skill because difficult or awkward.
Applying eyeliner can be a tricky business.
underhandActing or done in a secret or dishonest way.
Underhand dealings.
wilySkilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.
His wily opponents.

Usage Examples of "Insidious" as an adjective

  • Insidious pleasures.
  • Sexual harassment is a serious and insidious problem.
  • Glaucoma is an insidious disease.

Associations of "Insidious" (30 Words)

ambushHunt quarry by stalking and ambushing.
Seven members of a patrol were killed in an ambush.
colonistA person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country.
confiscateSurrendered as a penalty.
The guards confiscated his camera.
creepMove slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground.
The fog was creeping up from the marsh.
deprivePrevent (a person or place) from having or using something.
The city was deprived of its water supplies.
despoilSteal goods; take as spoils.
The church was despoiled of its marble wall covering.
encroachmentAny entry into an area not previously occupied.
Urban encroachment of habitat.
furtiveSuggestive of guilty nervousness.
A furtive manner.
incursionThe mistake of incurring liability or blame.
The incursion of television into the American living room.
intrusionA body of igneous rock which has intruded the surrounding strata.
Villagers say the noise is an intrusion on their lives.
invasionAn unwelcome intrusion into another’s domain.
In 1546 England had to be defended from invasion.
kingshipThe state or position of being a king.
Upon his succession to the kingship David retained his English estates.
lootSteal (goods) in a war, riot, etc.
Ten thousand quid is a lot of loot.
lurkA profitable stratagem; a dodge or scheme.
A ruthless killer still lurked in the darkness.
piracyA practice similar to piracy but in other contexts especially hijacking.
Air piracy.
pretendRepresent fictitiously as in a play or pretend to be or act like.
I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong.
puritanA member of a group of English Protestants of the late 16th and 17th centuries who regarded the Reformation of the Church under Elizabeth I as incomplete and sought to simplify and regulate forms of worship.
Don t be such a puritan.
purloinMake off with belongings of others.
He must have managed to purloin a copy of the key.
raidConduct a raid on.
An early morning raid on a bank.
rapineThe violent seizure of someone’s property.
Industrial rapine.
shyShort.
The shares are 29p shy of their flotation price.
sneakSomeone who prowls or sneaks about usually with unlawful intentions.
Sneak a cigarette.
stealSteal a base.
At 59 95 it s an absolute steal.
stealthyBehaving or done in a cautious and surreptitious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.
Stealthy footsteps.
subtleArranged in an ingenious and elaborate way.
A subtle difference.
trespassEntry to a person’s land or property without permission.
A man who had trespassed against Judaic law.
unsafeNot safe; dangerous.
Drinking water in some areas may be unsafe.
usurpationWrongfully seizing and holding (an office or powers) by force (especially the seizure of a throne or supreme authority.
A succession of generals who ruled by usurpation.
waylayStop or interrupt (someone) and detain them in conversation or trouble them in some other way.
He waylaid me on the stairs.

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