Definition of noxious
1a : physically harmful or destructive to living beings noxious waste noxious fumesb : constituting a harmful influence on mind or behavior; especially : morally corrupting noxious doctrines
2 : disagreeable, obnoxious this noxious political scandal — H. L. Ickes
noxiously
adverbnoxiousness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of noxious in a Sentence
mixing bleach and ammonia can cause noxious fumes that can seriously harm you
noxious smog that for years has been encrusting the historic cathedral with soot
Recent Examples of noxious from the Web
-
Meanwhile, the South Sea sponges continue to fabricate the noxious compounds.
-
Its limited effect on life span — an extension of a few months — suggests that excess glutamate is hardly the only noxious factor involved in the disease.
-
After an 8-year battle, Pfeifer died of terminal cancer, caused by the noxious cloud that hung over the disaster site.
-
There's no oxygen to speak of, and the gasses that are present are noxious to humans.
-
Residents downwind of the Rio Rancho fab are complaining that noxious vapors have caused chronic headaches, skin rashes, sleeping disorders, and even one death from lung fibrosis.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'noxious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of noxious
Middle English noxius, from Latin, from noxa harm; akin to Latin nocēre to harm, nec-, nex violent death, Greek nekros dead body
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of noxious
Other Ecology Terms
NOXIOUS Defined for English Language Learners
noxious
playDefinition of noxious for English Language Learners
-
: harmful to living things
NOXIOUS Defined for Kids
noxious
playDefinition of noxious for Students
: causing harm noxious fumes
Medical Dictionary
noxious
playMedical Definition of noxious
: physically harmful or destructive to living beings noxious wastes
Learn More about noxious
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for noxious Spanish Central: Translation of noxious Nglish: Translation of noxious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of noxious for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up noxious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!