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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pest
Insects or pests are present in the food establishment.
—
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
Report black fig flies to the California Department of Food and Agriculture pest hotline, 1-800-491-1899 or cdfa.ca.gov/plant/reportapest.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Crop diversity improves pollination, pest control and soil microbiota.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
This wound is an access point for pests and diseases.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
Report black fig flies to the California Department of Food and Agriculture pest hotline, 1-800-491-1899 or cdfa.ca.gov/plant/reportapest.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Crop diversity improves pollination, pest control and soil microbiota.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
This wound is an access point for pests and diseases.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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The plague of injuries hadn’t lifted either, last year’s No. 2 pick Cameron Brink was still recovering from a torn ACL and speedy spark plug Rae Burrell was injured just seconds into the season.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Those individuals, then, via cough or direct contact, can spread plague person-to-person, and that’s called primary pneumonic plague.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Weaver, the California waterfowl coordinator, said others were likely brought in the past few years to chase away Canada geese that have increasingly become a nuisance at parks and golf courses.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
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The presence of drones has caused alarm in communities—and the buzzing noise has sometimes become a nuisance.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While the flu shot can cause redness and soreness at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, FluMist can cause flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, and muscle aches.—
Alice Park,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Residents report constant running noses, headaches and sore throats.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Nearly ten months later, that tycoon Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy firebrand and persistent thorn in Beijing’s side – remains behind bars.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Turnover remains a thorn in the retail industry’s side.—
Michael Spataro,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But 20 near the ware washing area crosses the line from annoyance to swarm.—
David J. Neal
August 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Add in some more baffling decisions on top of that, and what should have been an easy layup is yet again another series of annoyances.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association’s ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
This may mean limiting your exposure to a range of irritants and allergens.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump in recent weeks has expressed frustration with Russia as the war continues, and Friday's meeting could have key implication for peace talks as well as Russia-U.S. relations.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Trump's frustration with Putin appeared to be building as Moscow expanded its ground and long-range strike operations in recent months.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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