as in poison
a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops
The family farm has gradually moved away from the use of pesticides.
Related Words
Relevance
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 pesticide
Workers spread the pesticide at a rate of 8 ounces per acre.
—
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Traditional mosquito control often depends on pesticides.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Tests revealed the water is contaminated with nitrate, which can come from fertilizer, animal manure or human sewage, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a hazardous chemical that was widely used in pesticides years ago.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Many shoppers choose organic foods for a variety of reasons, including concerns about pesticide exposure, support for certain farming practices, or environmental considerations.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Traditional mosquito control often depends on pesticides.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Tests revealed the water is contaminated with nitrate, which can come from fertilizer, animal manure or human sewage, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a hazardous chemical that was widely used in pesticides years ago.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Many shoppers choose organic foods for a variety of reasons, including concerns about pesticide exposure, support for certain farming practices, or environmental considerations.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
-
The rule is simple because the alternative is poison.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Using over-the-counter cold and flu medication to get high is far from a new teenage activity; however, calls to poison control for related overdoses continue to spike year-over-year, according to a new America’s Poison Centers alert.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Researchers found that 40% of the 97 participants had higher concentrations of a toxicant associated with the defunct LCP Chemicals plant than the national average.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The ash from open burning can also contaminate soil and groundwater with persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and other toxicants, creating more chances for people to be exposed to them through food and water.—
Ellen M. Considine,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
-
Apply Neem Extract Spray Neem extract, derived from the neem tree, contains azadirachtin, a natural insecticide effective against Japanese beetles.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Other methods of controlling invasive species, such as herbicides or grazing, do not destroy invasive seeds the way fire does.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
Incorporating these alternative management strategies can significantly reduce and even eliminate the need for herbicides.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
An investigation revealed that the horse was suffering from multiple diseases and was a decade older than his driver had initially reported, according to the organization.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Those who have been vaccinated or previously had measles are likely protected against the disease.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
One is boscalid, the systemic endocrine-disrupting fungicide that the EPA is reevaluating.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
If the problem persists, spray foliage with a fungicide and repeat as necessary.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
With venom and shrewd determination, Nicholson paints his character as a swaggering monster who milks every syllable of his dialogue with vitriolic relish.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
Perhaps the most fascinating question is why natural selection favored venom of such extraordinary potency in the first place.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, the Trump administration has taken steps to roll back regulations on emissions from industrial facilities, such as mercury and other toxics emitted from coal plants.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
Portside residents face higher cancer risk from air toxics than 93% of the nation.—
Jose Franco Garcia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
