1
as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pest
Pam Marrone is co-founder of the Invasive Species Corp. in Davis and an expert in biological pest management.
—
Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Beachgoers in North Carolina usually have three main biting pests to watch out for this time of year: mosquitoes, no-see-ums and biting flies.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
While Jefferson’s efforts were hindered by Virginia’s challenging climate, pests, and unsuitable vines, his vision laid the foundation for future winemakers.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
While it is generally recommended to clear vegetable gardens at the end of a season for soil preparation and to reduce pest and disease retention, ornamental beds are prime candidates to leave in place until the next growing season.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Beachgoers in North Carolina usually have three main biting pests to watch out for this time of year: mosquitoes, no-see-ums and biting flies.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
While Jefferson’s efforts were hindered by Virginia’s challenging climate, pests, and unsuitable vines, his vision laid the foundation for future winemakers.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
While it is generally recommended to clear vegetable gardens at the end of a season for soil preparation and to reduce pest and disease retention, ornamental beds are prime candidates to leave in place until the next growing season.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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What this means is that the vineyard is less susceptible to the pests that plague vines around the world.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
28 Sep. 2025
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Marvel Zombies — Now Streaming on Disney+ After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Situations like this are certainly a nuisance, but the quickest way to cause animosity with your neighbors is to come between them and their sleep.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On a 50% discount right now, the TP-Link Archer AXE75 upgrades your home Wi-Fi without the setup headache.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
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Soon, Disley learned that Chewy was in the nurse's office frequently — sometimes three times a day — due to headaches and stomachaches.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Last season, the Hurricanes had the league’s 25th-best power play, and the man advantage has been a thorn in the team’s side during almost every playoff disappointment.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Flynn has persistently been a thorn in the side of Wu all year, and some of his proposals are legit.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the seasons go on, Barbra charms her way from Reba's biggest annoyance to being her best friend.—
Eric King,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
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There’s a general mood of annoyance, more so with the police and the stewards rather than the defeat itself.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Protests broke out in the city Saturday and armed border patrol agents deployed what appeared to be chemical irritants toward protesters.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
4 Oct. 2025
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Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The comments illustrate the frustration as the four remaining controllers waited on a regional air traffic control center across the state to clear planes to enter the airspace.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
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In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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