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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pest
To deter digging pests, gardeners can use chicken wire, plant more bulbs than needed, or choose larger bulbs like daffodils.
—
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
He’s dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 24-of-35 draws, hasn’t been reticent to lower his shoulder (five hits in the season opener) and been an ever-present pest at the top of the crease in the offensive zone.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Exotic pests from Asia, notably the chestnut blight, decimated it about 100 years ago.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
There is no such thing as a pest-free rose, but overcrowded roses provide a perfect setting for pest infestations.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
He’s dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 24-of-35 draws, hasn’t been reticent to lower his shoulder (five hits in the season opener) and been an ever-present pest at the top of the crease in the offensive zone.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Exotic pests from Asia, notably the chestnut blight, decimated it about 100 years ago.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
There is no such thing as a pest-free rose, but overcrowded roses provide a perfect setting for pest infestations.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Back-to-back championships by the Dodgers could embolden MLB and add to a chorus of fans who see a cap as a panacea for the plague of big-money teams monopolizing championships over the past decade.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Wealthier countries, such as the United States, which have significant plastic consumption, do not have waste management problems like those that plague nations where the ocean plastic pollution is coming from.—
Daren Bakst,
Boston Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lorincz, who is white, hated loud noise, and called police and first responders multiple times over the years claiming the children were trespassing, bothersome, threatening, and a nuisance.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Establishing a track record of violations could potentially help the city in future civil suits brought against the Eco Motel, or any other property considered a nuisance.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
But just one week later, on June 1, 2019, a splitting headache and blurred vision sent her racing back to the hospital.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Often a thorn in the side of leadership, Massie is unlikely to strike any deal with leadership to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Oct. 2025
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Buds will fail to open properly, and some of the canes will have multitudes of thorns.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Democratic National Committee congratulated Mamdani on his win but is hardly sending resources to a race that has drawn annoyance from the typical raft of consultants still trying to figure out what, exactly, the party can sell in the next cycle.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Kate’s annoyance at her decoy agent having bird’s nest hair is a similarly dry delight.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The June 14 protests were mostly peaceful until protesters and local law enforcement officers clashed in downtown LA, leading to officers deploying chemical irritants and flash bang grenades at civilians.—
Madeline Armstrong,
Oc Register,
18 Oct. 2025
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Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That doesn’t mean Ohtani’s frustrations aren’t bleeding through.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Bergeron said producers broke an agreement to avoid partisan bookings, prompting him to publicly voice his frustration.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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