pestilent

pes·ti·lent

adj \-lənt\

Definition of PESTILENT

1

: destructive of life : deadly

2

: injuring or endangering society : pernicious

3

: causing displeasure or annoyance

4

: infectious, contagious <a pestilent disease>

— pes·ti·lent·ly adverb

Examples of PESTILENT

1. <proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases>
2. <pestilent reporters hounding him night and day>

Origin of PESTILENT

Middle English, from Latin pestilent-, pestilens pestilential, from pestis

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PESTILENT

Synonyms: catching, communicable, contagious, transmissible, transmittable

Antonyms: noncommunicable

Related Words: infectious, infective

Near Antonyms: noninfectious

see all synonyms and antonyms

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