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 Mosquito bites are to be expected in the warm summer months, but increasingly these pests are hanging around into autumn. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Sep. 2026 This pest injures the host plant by using its piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn takes year-round diligence to keep soil healthy and weeds, pests, and diseases at bay. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026 She's also used The Southern Shmooze to find a pest control prevention business, and one to deliver firewood. — Katherine Bjoraas, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest

Noun

After the plague arrived in South Dakota in 2005, the acreage occupied by prairie dogs near Badlands National Park shrunk by three quarters within a decade, despite concomitant efforts to rein in the disease.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Let’s hope that Rooney’s successful effort encourages other prominent authors to speak out against the plague of data centers sweeping the land.

— Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of plague

Noun

The pest has also become a nuisance for residents in communities near mushroom farms.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Oliver played a massive snap share and did a lot of little things to help free up his teammates, while continuing to be a nuisance in one-on-ones.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

For anyone living in a household where someone snores, wakes up with headaches or drags through the day, Jack Black’s candid podcast conversation about his CPAP machine offers a familiar reference point.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
People infected with typhus typically develop symptoms within one to two weeks, which may include a fever, headache, rash and body aches.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Unlike regular streamers where constant ads and endless choices have become an annoyance, FAST services like Tubi, Roku, and Pluto TV keep things relatively simple.

— Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2026
Patience is the ability to remain calm and accept delays, difficulties, or annoyance without complaining or becoming angry.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

More recently, Hannah Hidalgo has been a thorn in the Huskies’ sides, though UConn got past ND in the Elite Eight last March.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Oil, which in recent weeks has been a thorn in the stock market's side, provided the first source of relief Monday.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Their wavelike motion helps move around germs, mucus, dust, and other irritants so the body can dispel them via coughing or sneezing.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026
The outcomes are shrouded in mystery, a particular irritant for leadership teams obsessed with data and clarity.

— Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritant

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 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pest

noun

Example Sentences

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