Thesaurus results for PESTICIDE

pesticide

noun

Definition of pesticide

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 Durnell’s attorney, Ashley Keller, argued that registration of a pesticide with the EPA does not exempt a company from civil liability for its product’s safety. — Sarah J. Morath, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Miller says other pesticides that are currently used in retail fly traps can be used, and continues to battle the USDA's exclusive focus on sterile flies. — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026 The movement is particularly critical of both pesticides and PFAS. — Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 1 July 2026 Among the 33 chemicals the EPA will require water utilities to test for are seven PFAS, or forever chemicals, and three pesticide residues. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesticide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide

Noun

Rowley still lives near Salisbury, and with reminders of the poison.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Stopa went on the run, later killing herself by swallowing poison in a Detroit hotel room.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of poison

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

Definition of toxicant

Noun

Bait station solutions include a low concentrate insecticide active ingredient and an attractant.

— The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
Look for a lawn insecticide spray containing an active ingredient such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, or permethrin.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Definition of insecticide

Noun

The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Ahead, gardening experts share their tips for using baking soda as an all-natural herbicide, plus additional methods that work just as well.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of herbicide

Noun

Already large clinical trials are testing if certain drugs could prevent or at least delay the disease — and if any of those pan out, doctors will need an easy way to tell who should try them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office determined Quinonez Palomares died of cardiovascular disease, with obesity listed as a significant contributing condition.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of disease

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

Definition of toxic

Browse Nearby Words

pesters

pesticide

pesticides

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pesticide

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on pesticide

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

obdurate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes