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
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Recent Examples of pest
Animalia explains that woylies were once considered pests and were exterminated in huge numbers.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
The cause is probably a temporary environmental condition such as hot weather, water stress or insect damage by pests.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
That pulled him into online gardening forums, tomato discussion groups, and eventually weekly potluck dinners where enthusiasts traded Appalachian beans and swapped tips on pest control.
—Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
Farmers can test strategies for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control in a risk-free virtual environment before implementing them in the field.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
The cause is probably a temporary environmental condition such as hot weather, water stress or insect damage by pests.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
That pulled him into online gardening forums, tomato discussion groups, and eventually weekly potluck dinners where enthusiasts traded Appalachian beans and swapped tips on pest control.
—Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
Farmers can test strategies for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control in a risk-free virtual environment before implementing them in the field.
—Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
-
And the plague is coming on fast, ready to kill.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Then a plague hits the household.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the California Penal Code, a nuisance can be charged as a misdemeanor.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The recent interference with the European Commission President’s aircraft showed how quickly GPS denial can shift from nuisance to geopolitical signal.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In a recent study by Climate Rights International, workers spoke of experiencing excessive sweating, headaches, fever, nausea, heat palpitations, dehydration and temporary vision loss.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Soldiers reported headaches and nausea, leading Congress to cut funding in 2022.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An assertive Iran has been especially a thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, which strives to be the dominant Muslim majority power in the region.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
-
For the second straight season, Geno Smith has proven to be a thorn in the Patriots’ side, even if the veteran quarterback doesn’t see it that way.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of my long-standing annoyances with macOS was the lack of control over the menu bar.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
According to her, the girlfriend brushed off the refusal and signaled her annoyance.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.—
Rhonda Conner-Warren,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There have been frustrations over how long the process has taken, with the leadership uncertainty further complicated by the exit of CEO Alex Mahon over the summer.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Poor Harriet, a gallery assistant who has been harassed since the pilot, gets the brunt of Laura’s frustration.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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