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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pest
Topping also stresses the tree to the max, making if more vulnerable to other issues like drought or insect pests.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
To keep these pests from ever getting into your home in the first place and creating a potential infestation, turn to some DIY deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Summers can be stressful, not only because of the heat but mosquitos and other pests, too.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025
People may have also welcomed ‘wild cats’ on their farms for pest control, while leopard cats are reflected in ancient Chinese art depicting felines with round spots.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
To keep these pests from ever getting into your home in the first place and creating a potential infestation, turn to some DIY deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Summers can be stressful, not only because of the heat but mosquitos and other pests, too.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025
People may have also welcomed ‘wild cats’ on their farms for pest control, while leopard cats are reflected in ancient Chinese art depicting felines with round spots.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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The historical fiction story follows the Shakespeares’ love story as they wed and have three children, but tragedy strikes when their only son, 11-year-old Hamnet, dies from the plague.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the political sphere—an arena that’s increasingly entangled with social media—figures such as Elon Musk decry empathy as an emasculating plague.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Aside from being a general nuisance with their ferocious snores, pungent odors and growls, bears can do serious damage to a home.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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There’s a world in which Minus One is disquieting, where the nuisance of who started that war is totally lost and instead we’re treated to a nationalistic uprising.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This includes refusing to follow crew instructions about seating assignments, escalating complaints with nearby passengers—such as disputes over arm rests, seat kicking, or reclining—or otherwise turning a minor annoyance into a confrontation.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
For the most part, adults responded with mild annoyance and confusion.—
Rebekah Willett,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from rose thorns.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
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Season 1 detailed how Robby—a crinkle-eyed stalwart whose stethoscope seems made of thorns—was still suffering from PTSD from his experiences working during the coronavirus pandemic, while a violent attack from a patient made the otherwise flinty Dana reconsider whether her job was still bearable.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Protesters in Minneapolis have since flooded the streets in the thousands, and ICE agents have responded by apprehending some, shoving others to the ground, and spraying chemical irritants in their faces.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
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Agents were also seen using pepper spray or some kind of chemical irritant.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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