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
as in rot
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canker
Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
Most of the mature chestnut trees had vanished — the victim of canker fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for canker
Verb
Start by removing all blighted twigs and cankered branches 6 to 10 inches below the edge of visible infection.
—Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019
Noun
The canker fungus lives on in the inner bark of fledgling trees and encircles the stem.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
Most of the mature chestnut trees had vanished — the victim of canker fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for canker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canker
Verb
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And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
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Years later, the toxic chemicals have poisoned Hong-rang’s body.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
16 May 2025
Noun
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The anticipation of a world grown stale, the rot of what America had left behind ever ready to encroach, was of a piece with the puritan hunger for utopia.—
Andrew Moore,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Not Fun For Everyone But for all its creative energy, the Italian brain rot meme has its critics.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Led by Dark Samus, the Space Pirates corrupt the planet Norion and then go on to knock out the bounty hunters using a Phazon Beam.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
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Over time, suppressing empathy can become a habit and create a state of apathy in a person that corrupts their moral sentiments.—
Ross Overline,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The structure’s decay was captured in numerous photos, and demolition seemed imminent when the decision was made to rebuild it in conjunction with the new Power & Light District.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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The Context Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has frequently railed against fluoride—which medical and dental experts say can be crucial in preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children who live in areas with lower levels of fluoride in drinking water.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Erebus is at risk of degrading due to strong currents.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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Plus, this rash guard’s fabric blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, though keep in mind that frequent laundering will degrade the UV-blocking ability over time.5 In general, it’s recommended that UPF clothing be replaced after 40-50 washes.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The decision came after over a dozen residents bemoaned the practice at a public meeting, blaming fluoride for bone deficiencies, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
12 May 2025
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Some studies show that eating watermelon could lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems.32 A Quick Review Fruits like apples, peaches, guava, and mangoes are highly nutritious.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
12 May 2025
Verb
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In March, Rose Shalom of Sunland lost her husband, Mannie Rezende, who had slowly deteriorated from Alzheimer’s over several years.—
Steve Lopez,
Mercury News,
7 May 2025
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Bloomberg | Getty Images Hugo Boss on Tuesday pointed to deteriorating U.S. consumer confidence, with uncertainty around tariffs, recession risks and immigration policy dampening both domestic and tourist spend in its largest single market.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
6 May 2025
Noun
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California’s struggle around homelessness has been a black eye and a contentious soft spot for years, and even the most sympathetic of Californians are tired of the squalor and pain.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
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And what of the fact that Snow White, abandoned in the woods (where the Huntsman is too kindhearted to carry out the Evil Queen’s order to murder her), comes upon a cottage where seven cute, quarrelsome 249-year-old short men with Amish beards live in bachelor squalor and become her protectors?—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Canker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canker. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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