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
pestilently
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of pestilent in a Sentence
proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases
pestilent reporters hounding him night and day
Recent Examples of pestilent from the Web
-
At the time, the miasmatic theory of disease—the idea that illness was caused by foul, pestilent odors—had made its way to Boston from England, and undoubtedly influenced the decision to fill in the pond.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pestilent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pestilent
Middle English, from Latin pestilent-, pestilens pestilential, from pestis
Learn More about pestilent
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pestilent
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up pestilent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!