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
Relevance
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
The pest was eradicated from the United States in 1966, though a small outbreak occurred in the Florida Keys in 2017.
—
Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Beyond that, aphids, scale, and spider mites are also common pests.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
The reflective foil discourages unwanted insects and pests like slugs from approaching and harming the plants, but actually helps to attract butterflies.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
According to local media outlet, KARK, the snakes are nonvenomous black rat snakes, which feed primarily on pests like rats and mice.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Beyond that, aphids, scale, and spider mites are also common pests.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
The reflective foil discourages unwanted insects and pests like slugs from approaching and harming the plants, but actually helps to attract butterflies.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
According to local media outlet, KARK, the snakes are nonvenomous black rat snakes, which feed primarily on pests like rats and mice.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
-
But when human hubris introduces a linguistic plague on the creatures, the colonists must work to finally, truly understand the Indigenous population.—
Brianne Kane,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
-
The deadly plague is called Pierce’s disease.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
And even then, referees seemed to regard injuries as nuisances that stopped the flow of the game.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
As Part 108 and other advances allow autonomous drones to surge, regulators will also have to consider public concerns about privacy, malicious actions and nuisance.—
Agamemnon Crassidis,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Lyme disease, causing a fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
Persistent headaches, scratchy throats and that foggy, fatigued feeling that never quite lifts may not be a virus or seasonal pollen.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
As a surprise, rather than ditching the electrically adjustable climate vent fan direction, which probably costs and weighs more than simple physical sliders, the R2 sticks with the same system as the R1—legitimately an annoyance and one that borders on dangerous.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
-
Being in the same room can make issues worse, with choosing what to watch on television and snoring being the biggest annoyances.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The issue has been a perennial thorn for the Southern Baptist Convention, whose delegates will once again confront the matter at the group's annual meeting June 9-10 in Orlando.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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Darling of the Silverwood Chinese witch kids, young business prodigy turned multimillionaire Vogue Man cover material, and eternal thorn in my side.—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Chemicals from the fire include respiratory irritants, toxic gases, carcinogens and at least one neurotoxin, according to the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The tiny irritants Americans call chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae mites.—
Eva Flowe
June 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Those frustrations turned to elation last summer when not only did Uzbekistan finally qualify, but did so with a game to spare when edging out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in their group.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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