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
Efforts to trap and humanely euthanize pests comes with expenses estimated at over $100 million annually.
—
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
In addition, pests like those obnoxious mosquitoes will have longer active seasons prior to the beginning of the first freeze.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
More notable, however, is a four-minute sequence in which the film turns into an actual first-person shooter, and Reaper runs through corridors brandishing guns, grenades, and, of course, the franchise's iconic chainsaw to exterminate some unwanted pests.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
He’s been a pest to the other teams and has kept his composure.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
In addition, pests like those obnoxious mosquitoes will have longer active seasons prior to the beginning of the first freeze.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
More notable, however, is a four-minute sequence in which the film turns into an actual first-person shooter, and Reaper runs through corridors brandishing guns, grenades, and, of course, the franchise's iconic chainsaw to exterminate some unwanted pests.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
He’s been a pest to the other teams and has kept his composure.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Crucially, the eggs were fittingly fluffy, none of that rubbery nonsense that plague lesser burrito slingers.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Now the government is out to quash this plague of poor decision making.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For the patents on some of Novo Nordisk’s hero products in certain regions to be running out is an inevitable headache—companies can only hold them for so long before competitors are able to launch their own products.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other ailments.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But that conspiracy tends to manifest in the form of universal contemporary annoyances.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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Above-Mount and Vessel Sinks What can look like an impressive statement design decision can quickly become a daily annoyance.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yes, in an industry cartwheeling almost daily through new technologies, new owners, new formats and new audience expectations, the nearly-100-year-old measurement company was the sharpest thorn in Ziffren’s paw.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thanks, Edison Long a thorn in Edison’s side, Gary Headrick of San Clemente Green has been urging Edison to release all the inspection photos for months.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Another standout feature is its CertiPur-US and Greenguard Gold certifications, which mean it’s made without harmful materials and won’t release irritants that can trigger allergies.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Nearby, other agents fire chemical irritants into the ground to keep bystanders away, appearing to cause some people to cough, the video shows.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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One person familiar with Tuesday’s heated discussion within the caucus says there appears to be at least eight Democratic votes to reopen the government — even though progressive Democratic senators vented their frustration with the potential deal.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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