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
In the first, children in the audience are invited to play pest and politicians.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Identifying stressed out plants A number of environmental factors—like drought, high salinity, and pests or pathogens—can induce stress in plants.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025
Issues such as interior water or structural damage and pests may indicate the problem is more complicated than a simple replacement, which would be reason enough to walk away.
—Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Fewer freeze days also encourage blight and pests that attack crops.
—Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Identifying stressed out plants A number of environmental factors—like drought, high salinity, and pests or pathogens—can induce stress in plants.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025
Issues such as interior water or structural damage and pests may indicate the problem is more complicated than a simple replacement, which would be reason enough to walk away.
—Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Fewer freeze days also encourage blight and pests that attack crops.
—Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
-
While there is indeed connective tissue between the many forms of hate that plague our society, each has its own contours, and there are moments that demand addressing each one specifically – this is such a moment for antisemitism.—
Sara Colb,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
-
When plague struck again, only 18 ferrets remained.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
At first, the un-washable Fisk murals are a nuisance to the new mayor, but there are ways to take advantage of the situation.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Some of the houses are abandoned and have become unsightly neighborhood nuisances.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Aside from her talk about specific songs, Roan also opened up about the creative process, which can sometimes be a massive headache, despite her being known for her catalog of fun and peppy songs.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Making matters worse, China’s been a real headache for Starbucks, even before the tariffs, on increasing local competition and tepid growth in the world’s second-largest economy.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trees like Texas ebony and mesquite that have thorns to protect them from munching animals and long roots to tap moisture deep within the earth.—
Laura Mallonee,
Wired News,
12 Apr. 2025
-
To shield your hands against thorns when pruning, wear leather or leatherlike gloves.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
John replied with annoyance, and the conversation ultimately ended with McCartney abruptly hanging up on him.—
Kim Willis,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
-
There’s no hint of the speaker’s apparent annoyance in this delightful, whip-smart number.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Higher asthma rates have been observed in people who clean professionally and even in ordinary people exposed to these irritants as infrequently as once per week.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Five different ceramides—natural components of your skin barrier that act like glue, holding skin cells together to lock in moisture and block out irritants.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The president has voiced frustration with the 1973 law and similar environmental protections, saying environmentalists are impeding growth.—
Kristin Brown,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2025
-
There’s a sense of frustration that comes with that, like, How come no one’s listening to the voice of a generation?—
Cat Cardenas,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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