pestilential
adjective
pes·ti·len·tial
ˌpe-stə-ˈlen(t)-shəl 
1
a
: causing or tending to cause pestilence : deadly
b
: of or relating to pestilence
2
: morally harmful : pernicious
3
: giving rise to vexation or annoyance : irritating
Synonyms
Examples of pestilential in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But life back then was pretty sketchy and precarious even without pestilential rats running around, unbound.
—
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2023
He is reported to have participated in a pestilential online gun culture, replete with tasteless japing about mass shootings.
—wsj.com, 12 May 2023
This includes whenever there the existence of any malignant, contagious, or pestilential disease in the County, to investigate such report and ascertain, as correctly as possible, the causes which produced such disease, to adopt measures to arrest its progress.
—Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022
Pigeons are viewed as grimy, poopy, pestilential.
—Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2013
The Spanish flu washed over the world in three pestilential waves during 1918 and 1919.
—Damon Linker, The Week, 23 June 2021
Our national experience with the role of state and local governments in casino gambling should have taught us that there is a world of difference between sensible reform and making government a revenue-seeking partner in a pestilential business.
—The Editors, National Review, 7 Dec. 2020
Adding to these burdens were the poor soil and periodic ravages of the pestilential boll weevil.
—Trevor Paulhus, Smithsonian, 19 Sep. 2019
But what if there is scant succor to be had, and our true natures are not noble but necrotic, pestilential?
—Constance Grady, Vox, 17 Nov. 2018
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Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2023
He is reported to have participated in a pestilential online gun culture, replete with tasteless japing about mass shootings.
—wsj.com, 12 May 2023
This includes whenever there the existence of any malignant, contagious, or pestilential disease in the County, to investigate such report and ascertain, as correctly as possible, the causes which produced such disease, to adopt measures to arrest its progress.
—Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022
Pigeons are viewed as grimy, poopy, pestilential.
—Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2013
The Spanish flu washed over the world in three pestilential waves during 1918 and 1919.
—Damon Linker, The Week, 23 June 2021
Our national experience with the role of state and local governments in casino gambling should have taught us that there is a world of difference between sensible reform and making government a revenue-seeking partner in a pestilential business.
—The Editors, National Review, 7 Dec. 2020
Adding to these burdens were the poor soil and periodic ravages of the pestilential boll weevil.
—Trevor Paulhus, Smithsonian, 19 Sep. 2019
But what if there is scant succor to be had, and our true natures are not noble but necrotic, pestilential?
—Constance Grady, Vox, 17 Nov. 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pestilential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of pestilential was
in the 14th century
Articles Related to pestilential
Dictionary Entries Near pestilential
Cite this Entry
“Pestilential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilential. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
pestilential
adjective
pes·ti·len·tial
ˌpes-tə-ˈlen-chəl
: causing or likely to cause pestilence
Medical Definition
pestilential
adjective
pes·ti·len·tial
ˌpes-tə-ˈlen-chəl
1
: causing or tending to cause pestilence
2
: of or relating to pestilence
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