Meaning: Having a harmful effect, especially gradually
Hindi: हानिकारक
Synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious
Antonyms: beneficial, harmless
Asked in: SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC MTS 2025 · SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 · SSC CGL 2025 T-1 · SSC CPO 2024 T-2 · SSC CHSL 2023 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2020 T-1
pernicious in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2024 T-2 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way
(SSC CPO 2024 T-2 (30 April))Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Pernicious
Solution:
• The phrase: "Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way" precisely defines the word "Pernicious".
• Pernicious means:
• Causing harm or damage, often in a way that is gradual, subtle, or not immediately obvious.
• Example: The pernicious effects of smoking may take years to appear.
• Why the other options are incorrect:
• Penurious – means extremely poor or stingy.
• Pretentious – means attempting to impress by showing more importance than is actually possessed.
• Perfidious – means deceitful and untrustworthy.
Correct one-word substitute:
Pernicious - SSC MTS 2025 Spelling
Select the option with the correct spelling that can replace the underlined word in the given sentence. If the spelling in the given sentence is already correct, choose Option "No replacement required".
The pernacious effects of smoking often remain hidden until it's too late.Answer & explanation
Answer: A) pernicious
The correct answer is Option 1: "pernicious."
" Pernacious " is a misspelling. The correct spelling is "pernicious" (P-E-R-N-I-C-I-O-U-S), meaning having a harmful, destructive, or deadly effect.
Why the other options are wrong:
• Option 2 – " Pernecious " is also a misspelling; the correct vowel after 'pern-' is ' i ', not 'e'.
• Option 3 – " Pernicius " omits the 'o' before 'us'; incorrect spelling.
• Option 4 – "No replacement required" is incorrect because the original word is misspelled and must be replaced. - SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Synonyms
Select the correct Synonym of 'PERNICIOUS'.
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Deadly
'Pernicious' means having a very harmful or destructive effect. 'Deadly' is closest in meaning.
'Harmless' is the opposite of pernicious. 'Temporary' means lasting for a short time and 'Noisy' means making a lot of sound; neither is related to the meaning of pernicious. - SSC CGL 2025 T-1 Antonyms
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word:
PerniciousAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) Innocuous
Pernicious = harmful/deadly. Antonym: Innocuous (not harmful). Harmful, Virulent, Noxious are synonyms.
- SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Antonyms
What is the antonym of "Pernicious"?
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Harmless
Meaning: pernicious = having a harmful effect, often gradually or subtly *(हानिकारक, घातक)*.
The antonym must mean causing no harm at all.
harmless = not able or likely to cause harm *(हानिरहित, अहानिकर)* — the direct opposite.
Why the others are wrong.
• deadly = able to cause death *(जानलेवा)* — a synonym of pernicious, not an antonym.
• malignant = evil in nature; of a tumour, cancerous *(दुर्दम्य, घातक)* — harmful again.
• fatal = causing death *(प्राणघातक)* — another synonym.
*Three of the four options mean harmful — the antonym stands alone.*
Examples
- “Smoking has pernicious effects on health.”
pernicious – questions
What is the meaning of pernicious in Hindi?
pernicious means “हानिकारक” in Hindi. In English: Having a harmful effect, especially gradually
What are the synonyms of pernicious?
Synonyms of pernicious: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious.
What is the opposite of pernicious?
Antonyms of pernicious: beneficial, harmless.
Has pernicious been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – pernicious has been asked 7 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC MTS 2025, SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025, SSC CGL 2025 T-1, SSC CPO 2024 T-2, SSC CHSL 2023 T-1, SSC CHSL 2020 T-1.