pestiferous
adjective
pes·tif·er·ous
pe-ˈsti-f(ə-)rəs 
1
: dangerous to society : pernicious
2
a
: carrying or propagating infection : pestilential
b
: infected with a pestilential disease
3
pestiferously
adverb
pestiferousness
noun
Examples of pestiferous in a Sentence
a pestiferous weed that has given gardeners no end of grief
Recent Examples on the Web
Structured as entries in Emily’s field journal, the novel lays out her aims, her curmudgeonly nature and her pestiferous relationship with one Wendell Bambleby — a charismatic fellow researcher and sometime rival who Emily suspects is a fairy himself.
—
Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 12 Dec. 2017
After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness.
—Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017
Mr. Marín said three factors favored his coffee: the elevation, which is high enough to keep pestiferous coffee borer bugs at bay; the humidity, which stems from passing clouds that provide a steady stream of moisture; and the red soil.
—Gustave Axelson, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 12 Dec. 2017
After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness.
—Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017
Mr. Marín said three factors favored his coffee: the elevation, which is high enough to keep pestiferous coffee borer bugs at bay; the humidity, which stems from passing clouds that provide a steady stream of moisture; and the red soil.
—Gustave Axelson, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Pestiferous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestiferous. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pestiferous
adjective
pes·tif·er·ous
pes-ˈtif-(ə-)rəs
1
: dangerous to society : pernicious
Medical Definition
pestiferous
adjective
pes·tif·er·ous
pes-ˈtif-(ə-)rəs
1
: carrying or propagating infection : pestilential
a pestiferous insect
2
: infected with a pestilential disease
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share