pestilent
adjective
pes·ti·lent
ˈpe-stə-lənt 
1
: destructive of life : deadly
2
: injuring or endangering society : pernicious
3
: causing displeasure or annoyance
4
: infectious, contagious
a pestilent disease
pestilently
adverb
Synonyms
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 on the Web
But the tropical type of milkweed survives cold winters, and so does its pestilent guest.
—
Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2015
The former was true in the Pelicans' Game 4 as the eagle-wingspan need small forward Jones' and pestilent 6-foot Alvarado's varied physical traits held him to a playoff career-low four points and caused three turnovers.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022
Island living looks like a privilege when the world is pestilent.
—New York Times, 31 Oct. 2020
Herbicides also are available to contend with the pestilent plant.
—cleveland, 30 June 2020
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.
—Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017
Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2015
The former was true in the Pelicans' Game 4 as the eagle-wingspan need small forward Jones' and pestilent 6-foot Alvarado's varied physical traits held him to a playoff career-low four points and caused three turnovers.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022
Island living looks like a privilege when the world is pestilent.
—New York Times, 31 Oct. 2020
Herbicides also are available to contend with the pestilent plant.
—cleveland, 30 June 2020
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.
—Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pestilent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin pestilent-, pestilens pestilential, from pestis
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of pestilent was
in the 14th century
Articles Related to pestilent
Dictionary Entries Near pestilent
Cite this Entry
“Pestilent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilent. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pestilent
adjective
pes·ti·lent
ˈpes-tə-lənt
1
: dangerous or destructive to life : deadly
a pestilent drug
2
: harmful or dangerous to society : pernicious
3
: causing displeasure or annoyance
a pestilent child
4
: infectious sense 1, contagious
a pestilent disease
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