pesticide

Definition of pesticidenext
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.

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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 To protect the bees, no pesticides are used on the property, and the project helps support native populations, which encourages the biodiversity of endemic plant life. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 It’s processed and bottled without touching any plastic, and each batch is tested by a third-party laboratory for organic and inorganic compounds, including microplastics, pesticides, and forever chemicals. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 Schultz’s original bill would have phased out pesticides with PFAs and put California in line with Maine and Minnesota, which passed laws restricting their use. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The same four firms now sell both the seeds farmers plant and the pesticides those seeds are bred to work with. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
  • And calls to poison control centers involving kratom have spiked 1,200% in the last decade.
    Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • If traps and poison are out of your comfort zone, there are natural solutions that can help.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 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
  • The department added that is has sprayed insecticide in 15 different community areas over the last several weeks.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is fighting that plague by injecting some ash trees with an insecticide to give them a chance at survival.
    Amanda Swinhart, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Applying a systemic herbicide now will be more successful in killing the entire plant, above- and below-ground.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • See & Spray uses computer vision to distinguish weeds from crops and only sprays the weeds, cutting herbicide costs in half.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Additionally, animals carry diseases, such as rabies and leptospirosis, that can be fatal to people.
    Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026
  • People with thyroid disease, kidney, liver or heart problems, or those taking NSAIDs, opiate pain medications or certain antidepressants can actually take in too much water.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Select a fungicide labeled for leaf spots on ornamentals and follow the label.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Neem oil, copper fungicide, or soil amendments are safer and more effective alternatives for common houseplant problems.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • If someone is bitten, please don’t try to cut the wound or suck out the venom.
    Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike its round-bodied namesake, this true spider has two visibly distinct body segments, which are characteristic of spiders, and does produce venom.
    Melissa Petruzzello, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In late May, about 50,000 people in Orange County were evacuated because, at a Garden Grove site operated by GKN Aerospace, tanks holding a volatile hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate were at risk of exploding or leaking toxics.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Munoz is an independent toxicologist working in collaboration with MAHA against pesticides and toxics.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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