1
as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pest
Despite the many benefits of composting, some argue that the possibility of attracting pests and the need to avoid materials like meat and dairy make the strategy inconvenient at best.
—
Lisa Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2025
Milder winters can also put crops at greater risk for pests and diseases that thrive at warmer temperatures.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The state may issue a quarantine order, which prohibits the movement of certain plants or pests.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2025
The most effective way to stop rodents (as well as snakes and other pests) from doing this damage is to prevent them from getting into your vehicles in the first place, but this is hard to do.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Lisa Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2025
Milder winters can also put crops at greater risk for pests and diseases that thrive at warmer temperatures.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
The state may issue a quarantine order, which prohibits the movement of certain plants or pests.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2025
The most effective way to stop rodents (as well as snakes and other pests) from doing this damage is to prevent them from getting into your vehicles in the first place, but this is hard to do.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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According to Stanford historian Walter Scheidel, over the past 2,000 years, only four forces have reversed growing economic inequality: mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and catastrophic plagues.—
The Sorenson Impact Institute,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The progress is undone; however, when two kids' excursion into an infected zone sets events in motion, the zombie plague spread throughout the community.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Finally, Paddington graduates from nuisance to pathfinder, from struggling to fit in to forging his own identity.—
Natalia Winkelman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
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What is known is that the area of the attack had been frequently monitored by animal control authorities as a problematic zone where one or more dogs have been reported as being a nuisance or possible danger to the public, dating back to February 2023.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both conditions also involve symptoms outside the intestines, such as headaches or brain fog.5 Only celiac disease involves symptoms related to malnutrition, which occurs because the small intestine is damaged.—
Sarah Bence,
Health,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Less frequent side effects can include chest discomfort, weakness, headache, rhinitis, hypoglycemia and vitamin B12 deficiency (with long-term metformin use).—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Navalny was a thorn in Putin’s side, exposing corruption in high places and orchestrating some of the biggest anti-government protests seen in recent years.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
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The lesser prairie chicken, which was listed in 2023, is similarly a thorn in the side of many Republicans lawmakers.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, archeologists have found that ancient people had their own ways of coping with bugs, rodents, and other annoyances.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
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Woman’s Observation About Everyday Frustration Goes Viral By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter 1 A woman has gone viral for showcasing an everyday dressing annoyance that has resonated with millions.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Risk factors include a family history of asthma and exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke.9 Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of intense worry.—
Sarah Jividen,
Health,
26 Jan. 2025
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Participants should bring water and snacks and wear long sleeves and pants to protect themselves from poodle-dog bush and other irritants in the area.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump was willing to give detente a shot but underwent a 180-degree turn after the first sign of frustration.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Many end users have voiced their frustration with the difficulty of opening the new packages and the risks associated with using sharp tools.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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