canker 1 of 2

verb

Definition of cankernext
as in to poison
to lower in character, dignity, or quality such shameless ambulance chasing cankers the legal profession

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

canker

2 of 2

noun

as in rot

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of canker
Noun
Nectria kills areas of woody tissue, sometimes creating cankers on the tree stem and large branches which in turn weaken the tree. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2026 This damages the trunk and leaves an ugly, elongated canker that invites insects and stresses the tree, leading to stunted growth, sparse foliage, and stem dieback. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026 Bacterial plant diseases include speck (a winter-surviving infection that attacks tomatoes), canker (which damages fruit trees including those producing apples and peaches), and blight (which rots melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, beans, and more). — New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2026 Even the most superb body begins to diminish in a person’s early 30s, thanks to the onset of sarcopenia, which sounds like a canker but means the incremental decline of muscle mass. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canker
  1. poison
  2. rot
  3. corrupt
  4. decay
  5. degrade
  6. cancer
  7. deteriorate
  8. squalor
Verb
  • Attackers are also targeting AI solutions themselves with prompt injection attacks, poisoned datasets and other increasingly advanced tactics.
    — Peter Garraghan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The researchers note that developing robust pre-treatment systems will be vital, as everyday impurities can quickly poison and deactivate the sensitive metal catalyst.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
Definition of poison
Noun
  • To thwart blossom end rot, some gardeners are purchasing blossom set sprays containing calcium to apply to their plants’ foliage.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • The most common diseases are crown rot, gray mold, and powdery mildew, all of which are fungal infections caused by stagnant air and waterlogged soil.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
Definition of rot
Verb
  • The unsightly mushroom could have corrupted her maids’ morals, or even their health.
    — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • Radiation from space and other high-energy environments can corrupt data or permanently damage conventional electronics.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of corrupt
Noun
  • This gives the fluoride extra time to do its job and provide better protection against decay.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 23 July 2026
  • Damaged roots can make the tree vulnerable to decay, disease, and pests.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026
Definition of decay
Verb
  • Many lubricants aren't silicone-safe and can actually degrade the surface of silicone products over time.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Residents fear adding another logistics hub nearby will further degrade air quality in the region.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of degrade
Noun
  • The institute notes that nearly 68,000 cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in 2026, representing about 3% of all new cancer cases.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • There’s no way to prove that the cluster of cases are related or that the cancer diagnoses are linked to environmental exposure.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 July 2026
Definition of cancer
Verb
  • Zelenskyy said their relationship had deteriorated so badly that the two could no longer work together, but provided little additional explanation for removing Fedorov.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • In the ensuing decades after District 33 absorbed McAuley, the McAuley building deteriorated, with no significant maintenance done to it and no use other than for records and equipment storage.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Noun
  • The children reportedly lived in squalor and weren’t enrolled in school.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • Reform and Restore are no doubt relying on support from pockets of deprivation, squalor and neglect in Makerfield.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026
Definition of squalor

Browse Nearby Words

canisters
canker
cankered
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“Canker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canker. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on canker

Nglish: Translation of canker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canker

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