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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Recent Examples of pesticide
The company estimates its growing process uses 95% less water and 94% less land than conventional farming, and requires no herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides.
—
Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
From 2016 to 2023, more than 12 million pounds of the pesticide were applied in these counties, according to those data.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The pesticide d-CON gave away American flag decals with purchases.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
The organic cotton is pesticide-free, as Boll & Branch uses marigolds on their farms in place of synthetic alternatives, and the farming methods use less water.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
From 2016 to 2023, more than 12 million pounds of the pesticide were applied in these counties, according to those data.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The pesticide d-CON gave away American flag decals with purchases.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
The organic cotton is pesticide-free, as Boll & Branch uses marigolds on their farms in place of synthetic alternatives, and the farming methods use less water.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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Her study provided precise scientific rules for how air and poison interacted inside the filter, helping to improve gas mask technology.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
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The proceeds from the purchase will support an early childhood curriculum emphasizing altruism and empathy, designed to inoculate young minds against the dangers of extremism and hate before such poison can take root.—
Elliott Broidy,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the 1970s, Claudia Miller, an allergist and environmental scientist, was studying how toxicants affect people in industrial settings and began noticing strange symptoms emerging after certain kinds of chemical exposures.—
Kate Raphael,
Discover Magazine,
23 June 2025
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Then, using a simulation, the team found that the warmth and weight of the sleeping child could increase the off-gassing of the toxicants.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The pest control company must utilize a multi-pronged approach, which may include bed bug monitoring devices, mattress encasements, steaming, vacuuming, and insecticide applications in the form of sprays, aerosols, insecticidal dusts, and desiccant dusts, says Miller.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
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Some insecticide ingredients might contaminate the flowers and risk pollinator harm, even weeks or months after their application.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This may include the use of fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
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This reduces herbicide use by > 50%, reduces water use and crop stress, and improves costs efficiencies and profitability.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In those participants, the disease was not associated with any changes in brain size or evidence of damage.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Horton took the time to promote a charity seeking to raise funds for the organization Pancreatic Cancer UK, while also sharing a sweet tribute to the late Harry Potter star, who died from the disease in 2016 at age 69.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After pruning, if there are any signs of fungal infections on your orchid, treat the cuts with fungicide.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Jan. 2026
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The fungicide must thoroughly cover all plant tissues to prevent disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Anti-Israel letter writers might want to direct their venom at the brutality that’s going on in Syria at the present time.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Then their own mother turned venom against them, the object of their wounding telling them that the shape of their wounds was never really there.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Michigan Legislature passed a law in 2008 meant to protect the public from harmful electronic waste toxics.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Dec. 2025
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East Bay parks officials say hikers should beware of an unusually large number of toxic — and potentially deadly — mushrooms sprouting across the region.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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