Harmful vs. pernicious: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Harmful refers to something that causes harm or damage in a general sense, while pernicious implies a more insidious, subtle, or gradual harm that is not immediately obvious and can be destructive over time.
What they have in common
Both harmful and pernicious are adjectives that describe something causing damage, injury, or negative effects.
Examples
harmful
- Smoking is harmful to your health.
- The chemicals in the plastic can be harmful if ingested.
- Excessive screen time can be harmful to children’s development.
pernicious
- The pernicious effects of social inequality can be seen in health disparities.
- She warned about the pernicious influence of fake news on public opinion.
- Corruption has a pernicious impact on the economy.
Which one is more common?
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