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 Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs. — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 The bill will also allow restaurants to weatherproof and winterize their sheds and require restaurateurs to keep them from becoming trash- and pest-filled shanties. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026 While their stings are painful, wasps and hornets play a vital role in controlling other insect pests. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 For nearly two months, families in Boyle Heights have lived with unbearable odors, flies and pests, truck traffic, uncertainty, and disruption to their homes, businesses, and daily lives. — City News Service, Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest

Noun

Communism was an ideological plague that killed more than 100 million people and tyrannized and warped the lives of hundreds of millions more.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
And Gakpo offers a solution both on the wing and through the middle, should injuries plague Spurs’ centre-forwards again.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Noun

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued at least 20 violation notices to Lineage for public nuisance.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, a judge found Meta had created a public nuisance and ordered it to pay an additional $567 million and implement youth-safety measures.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Unfortunately, the sound system problems that began during the Romantics set (and would actually continue during Toto’s performance) hit their height of annoyance while Cross was on the stage.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Seat switchers—passengers who ask to switch seats—also made the list as the top annoyance for 20 percent of respondents.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
With hill country roots and dangerous charm, Zak has been raised since birth to carry on the Farley racing dynasty, a thorn in the Whitlock family’s side.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
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

Definition of irritant

Noun

Whenever Biya eventually leaves office, his successor will inherit a country also facing attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north and deep economic frustration among young people.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pest

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on pest

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

balmy

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes