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
Conditions in the park can change quickly, and rain, strong winds, cold temperatures, and pests like mosquitoes are not uncommon.
—
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
Accumulating trash had led to an influx of rodents and other pests.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Leaves covered in powdery black sooty mold are your first clue to these pests.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
For the best results, chop up the peels before composting to speed up their decomposition and help prevent pest issues.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
Accumulating trash had led to an influx of rodents and other pests.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Leaves covered in powdery black sooty mold are your first clue to these pests.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
For the best results, chop up the peels before composting to speed up their decomposition and help prevent pest issues.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
-
In the middle of the 7th century, a plague swept through the walled city of Jerash, in what is now modern-day Jordan.—
Durrie Bouscaren,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The digital plague that has come over us is a serious problem and people are just starting to recognize that.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For long, chip designers have viewed moving ions as a nuisance.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit asks the Ingham County Circuit Court to declare Kalshi's internet sports betting operation a common law nuisance and to issue a permanent injunction and order of abatement enjoining and restraining Kalshi from engaging in or advertising its internet sports betting operation in Michigan.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Finn was experiencing headaches and nausea, which led to an emergency room visit and a sudden diagnosis.—
Jori Parys,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Symptoms can include fever, headache, facial swelling, malaise and swelling of the salivary glands.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of the great delights, but also slight annoyances of doing a show as popular as American Psycho, [is] that family, friends, everyone wants to see it.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Cue more annoyance among the home fans.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
No anti-Iran narrative Iran has been a thorn in the side of many American presidents for a long time.—
Charles Walldorf,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Its canes are reddish in color and covered with spiny thorns.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.—
Kathryn Kovalenko,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a crisp new poster on the easel at the Werth practice facility that displayed the Big East Tournament trophy, not yet mauled in frustration and held together by tape like the regular-season version had been.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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The cost of parking, and parking tickets, has long been a frustration for state workers who commute to downtown Sacramento.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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