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
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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
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Recent Examples of pest
Leaves weakened by pests or disease would be susceptible to frost damage, but burgundy foliage is not affected by such stressors.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, tackling pests from many angles, with multiple mitigation efforts used simultaneously, is what will prove most effective in keeping your garden pest-free this growing season.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Across continents and climates, the results are consistent: Forests with a mix of species tend to grow larger, store more carbon and better withstand stress from drought, pests and disease.
—John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Many pests and diseases can survive in the soil from one year to the next, plaguing the new crop.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Ultimately, tackling pests from many angles, with multiple mitigation efforts used simultaneously, is what will prove most effective in keeping your garden pest-free this growing season.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Across continents and climates, the results are consistent: Forests with a mix of species tend to grow larger, store more carbon and better withstand stress from drought, pests and disease.
—John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Many pests and diseases can survive in the soil from one year to the next, plaguing the new crop.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Its buttery texture melts onto the lips, bypassing the drag and pull that plagues drier drugstore pencils.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
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The grain and food exports make $3 billion annually, according to 9 News, with experts warning that this latest plague could threaten Australia's output to neighboring countries.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Most homeowners are surprised to learn the buzzing nuisance ruining their evenings probably started life just steps from the back door.—
Ryan Brennan
April 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Previous modernization efforts The airport has previously suffered from a host of issues that have proved nuisances for travelers, including green liquid falling from the ceiling and broken escalators.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Microplastics have the potential to become a greater headache for an apparel industry too dependent upon plastic fibers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some journalists draw a line between the government's mounting headaches and its escalating attacks on the messengers of that news.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Compile receipts and expense notes Probably a major annoyance is uploading your receipts for reimbursement, but Dispatch handled that quickly.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Despite the annoyances, the smile is genuine.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Gast Studio’s Stem Vase, on show at group exhibition Deoron, features glossy oversized thorn shapes that give the object both a hostile presence and a pleasingly jagged profile, like a rose stem on steroids.—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Shelter has long been a thorn in the side of the inflationary outlook for a very long time.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Caffeine, alcohol and certain acidic or spicy foods can act as bladder irritants for some people.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 2026
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Eyssimont made a name for himself with the Tampa Bay Lightning as being an irritant.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Most fans understand that the need for more professional-caliber resources wasn’t going to be met under Mohegan Tribe ownership, but there is deep frustration over the Sun’s relocation out of New England.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But for the residents and business-owners, the possibility of another set of G train outage evoked frustration after two years of service suspensions while crews worked to upgrade the signaling system on the Crosstown Line.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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