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
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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
Rodenticides and insecticides are extremely harmful if pets ingest them directly or eat affected pests.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The 2,000 trees arrived, but unfortunately were found to be infested with pests and destroyed.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
Look for spider mites, aphids, thrips, and other common pests.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
Their thick veins and sturdy texture can trap soil and even tiny pests, making thorough cleaning a must.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest 
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The 2,000 trees arrived, but unfortunately were found to be infested with pests and destroyed.
—Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025
Look for spider mites, aphids, thrips, and other common pests.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
Their thick veins and sturdy texture can trap soil and even tiny pests, making thorough cleaning a must.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Save the mysterious realm from a spreading plague, form alliances, and defeat monsters in visceral combat.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PCMAG,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The game will let players switch between first and third-person perspectives while investigating a mysterious plague in Eora as an envoy from the Aedyr Empire.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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With no power to fend off poultry farms, neighbors live with stench and nuisances North Carolina keeps poultry farm locations secret.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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Like with skateboarding, Kemp says, many leaders saw stickball as a nuisance that disrupted commerce.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Other research has found that living near a factory farm is positively associated with risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia, and people who live near them report higher rates of headaches, depression, anger, and respiratory symptoms, such as asthma.—
Kenny Torrella,
Vox,
23 Jan. 2025
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People with bird flu may get pink eye (conjunctivitis), a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and fever.—
Hatty Willmoth,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That matters because battery life has been a thorn in the Pixel Watch’s side.—
Sheena Vasani,
The Verge,
18 Jan. 2025
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Licensing delays at the Federal Aviation Administration have been a thorn in SpaceX's side for the last couple of years.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Catastrophic events like the fires in Los Angeles have a way of turning these annoyances into disillusionment.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Vent to a friend or family member to release annoyances brewing within instead of bringing tense moments to the office.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and environmental tobacco smoke are significant irritants that can impact your breathing.—
Nora Colomer,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Sensitive Skin Soothing Care’s formula, produced in a white room, has active ingredients from plants and no preservatives, since those can be irritants.—
Jennifer Weil,
WWD,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Also Wednesday, some scientists on social media posted frustrations that the NIH had stopped approving money for research grants through its review groups, called study sections.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
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Fun small bedroom ideas feel hard to come by, and frustration sets in before anything actually improves in your space.—
Rachel Davies,
Architectural Digest,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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