PATHOGENIC Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

pathogenic

adjective

Definition of pathogenic

as in infective

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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 pathogenic Though family members were not encouraged to pursue genetic testing at the time, advances in research later revealed that her sister carried a pathogenic BRCA1 gene variant, prompting Evert to get tested herself. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 On June 20 the strain of highly pathogenic bird flu that has killed wild birds and marine mammals on every other continent was confirmed in Australia for the first time. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 The maggots are thought to secrete various antibacterial compounds to ward off pathogenic bacteria and block biofilms from forming, overall preventing secondary infection. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026 Federal law allows the interstate sale of unpasteurized cheese as long as it’s aged for at least 60 days, though this doesn’t fully eliminate the risk — or account for a farm using pathogenic milk to make it. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathogenic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathogenic

Adjective

The team confirmed that those eggs developed into infective third-stage larvae.

— Jay Kakade August 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026
His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.

— Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Definition of infective

Adjective

Public health experts said the move amounted to extraordinary political interference in the authority of a state health department and an effort to minimize the risks of the highly infectious virus.

— Reuters, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
The patients had gone to UCLA for cancer and infectious-disease treatments, high-risk women’s services, major organ transplants and other specialty medicine care, the association said.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of infectious

Adjective

But the heart of this story is the toxic years-long romance between Marjorie and her co-conspirator Bill Rothstein (David Harbour), an equally cunning player who was blinded by love.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
The company says these materials are abundant and non-toxic, potentially avoiding some of the cost, safety, and supply challenges associated with conventional battery chemistries.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

Some doctors employed wildly improbable cures when treating these pestilential tumors.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Here a book worth considering is ‘From third world to first’ - Lee Kwan Yew's first person story of transforming Singapore from a pestilential swamp into a metropolis.

— Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Definition of pestilential

Adjective

Unresolved issues run the gamut, from antitrust protections to chip export controls to whether existing consumer laws are sufficient to protect people from harmful AI.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed multiple AI bills into law, including Adam's Law, which requires AI chatbot makers to protect minors from harmful interactions.

— Lora Kolodny,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

Spanish bluebells contain saponins, which smell and taste like soap, as well as poisonous cardiac glycosides.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
As Anna covers for Fyodor’s addiction and increasingly unstable professional behavior, her devotion starts to look poisonous for them both.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

The virus is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes and breathes and can remain virulent for up to two hours.

— Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 24 Aug. 2026
The isotopes that make up radiopharmaceuticals are just as virulent as the beam radiation patients have begrudgingly tolerated for decades.

— Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of virulent

Adjective

The analysis also revealed significant stroke risk elevations for adults diagnosed with bladder, stomach, and liver cancers, as well as myeloid leukemia and malignant brain and nervous system tumors.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Perhaps the most intriguing risk factor for psychopathology gleaned from clinical psychological science, and one that is particularly relevant to the assessment and treatment of postpartum psychopathology, is malignant self-criticism.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of malignant

Browse Nearby Words

pathogenetic

pathogenic

pathographies

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“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathogenic. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pathogenic

adjective

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