1
as in plagues
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 nuisances
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 headaches
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pests
Less variation within a population means greater susceptibility to pests, pathogens, disasters, and these two forces feed off of each other, with forest cover loss driving biodiversity loss, leading to poor resilience and further forest loss.
—
John Werner, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Outdoor spiders are hard at work, devouring home and garden pests such as ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and thrips.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
With a decreasing winter snowpack, which leaves tree roots more vulnerable to cold, plus a new wave of forest pests that have migrated with warmer temperatures, the Northeast has unusually high levels of dead wood in its forest, experts here say.
—Sophie Ungerleider, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
These pests may then be brought back indoors on the plants in the fall, says Khan.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
Use clean containers and fresh potting soil to reduce pests and encourage growth.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
Ward off pests by storing wool clothing with cedar balls or herb sachets that contain lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, or cloves.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, dangerous new fungi, diseases and pests follow the heat.
—Mark Schapiro, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
Then, choose a space in your home where pests and humidity or moisture are unlikely to be present.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
John Werner, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Outdoor spiders are hard at work, devouring home and garden pests such as ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, and thrips.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
With a decreasing winter snowpack, which leaves tree roots more vulnerable to cold, plus a new wave of forest pests that have migrated with warmer temperatures, the Northeast has unusually high levels of dead wood in its forest, experts here say.
—Sophie Ungerleider, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
These pests may then be brought back indoors on the plants in the fall, says Khan.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
Use clean containers and fresh potting soil to reduce pests and encourage growth.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
Ward off pests by storing wool clothing with cedar balls or herb sachets that contain lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, or cloves.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, dangerous new fungi, diseases and pests follow the heat.
—Mark Schapiro, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
Then, choose a space in your home where pests and humidity or moisture are unlikely to be present.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
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Lula underwent surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage after the 79-year-old leader complained of headaches that doctors believed to be the result of a fall in a bathroom at his home in October.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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There can be side effects from supplementation, such as bad-smelling breath and sweat and headaches, as well as digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea or diarrhea, Harvard’s site stated.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Much of the testimony, as is typical when corporate figures are summoned before Congress to discuss the public’s annoyances with their industries, was slippery.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024
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Try to avoid taking your annoyances out by honking loudly.Lisa Stardust, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Touching it with your bare hands may not be a good idea for this reason and because the plant can absorb allergens and irritants if it’s lived in the same place for a long stretch of time.Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024
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More than 31 million Americans have eczema, which is typically caused by an overactive immune system that results in skin inflammation in response to allergens and/or irritants.Lynya Floyd, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
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With Mangione's background in mind, some are questioning whether his frustrations with his own health and the healthcare system may have contributed to the fatal event.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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People typically hate car shopping, with most surveys showing that the dealership experience tops people’s lists of frustrations.Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pests
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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