PEST Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

pest

noun

ˈpest

Definition of pest

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

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

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 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 pest Visitors are reminded to take proper precautions — such as bug spray — to ward off the pests. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 Currently, all vessels entering New Zealand waters are required to have a clean hull to reduce the risk of biofouling pests. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026 Rollins has continued to see softer demand for its pest control services due to a combination of headwinds, so investors should steer clear of the stock, according to Wells Fargo. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 July 2026 Livestock and pet owners should use pest control strategies, such as maintaining clean spaces for their animals and using insecticides, barn treatments and fly traps, to try to keep flies away from their animals. — Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest

Noun

Like plague-spreading fleas, these animals can pose real harms to humans, but the category of pest need not be tied to an objective assessment of risk.

— Elan Abrell, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Ragusa’s rocky soil was too poor to feed its people, so grain came in by ship from Sicily and the Levant, and plague often rode in with it.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026

Definition of plague

Noun

Kansas City is asking a judge to put control of a vacant former shopping mall that the city calls a nuisance into new hands.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
These tiny insects are a summertime nuisance that prey on people, pets, and wildlife, including birds, leaving behind an aggravating itch that can last for more than a week.

— Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

The fever and the less intense strain often presents as a headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and fatigue.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
For some its allergies or other upper respiratory issues; for others too much of an aroma causes a headache or worse.

— R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 24 July 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

If every capacity conversation gets treated as an annoyance, that's your answer about how the job will run from here.

— Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
These annoyances just barely prevent Hinge from dethroning our Editors' Choice winners for dating apps, Match and Tinder.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

Since her arrival, Claire has been a thorn in Quinn’s side, constantly pushing her to go back to New York, as for her, Ransom Canyon is little more than a dying town.

— Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2026
Blackthorn salt was filtered through something called a tower of thorns.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Powder emitted from an airbag deployment in Hampton’s car could have been an irritant to Hampton’s eyes, Brissette suggested.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
The signature blend of ceramides works to strengthen and support the skin’s natural barrier, which helps lock in moisture while defending against environmental irritants like pollutants and allergens.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Definition of irritant

Noun

Such incidents created frustration among Old Sacramento business owners at the time, according to previous Bee reports, referencing gun violence.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
The suspension stemmed in part from Liang’s frustration over online reports about his comments to investors during his first financing deal, which closed in June and raised $7 billion for the AI lab, the people said.

— Haze Fan, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

pessimists

pest

pester

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pest

noun

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