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.

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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 Common hazards include prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, cleaning and laundry products, cosmetics, pesticides, automotive fluids, and batteries. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 There’s Tanner, the middle of three boys who lives in his hometown and pilots a plane for the family business that sprays pesticides on crops. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 If pests or diseases like fungal infections are to blame, the next step is to apply an appropriate fungicide or natural pesticide. — The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026 Instead of pesticides, scout the garden regularly and pick off offending insects by hand. — Paula Weatherby, Florida Times-Union, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesticide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide

Noun

This evidence was not allowed to be presented at trial because the judges ruled that the prosecution had not disproved that the lethal poison could also be used for innocent purposes, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Though The Lizzie Borden Story positions her as Lizzie’s feminist Virgil, Bridget’s first instinct is to kill the Bordens with poison, which was then considered to be the feminine murder weapon.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 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

Before releasing the ferrets, scientists dust prairie dog burrows with insecticide and scatter food pellets laced with fipronil, the same chemical used in flea control among pets.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
An insecticide dust, which comes in a squeeze bottle, is another option for stubborn nests.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of insecticide

Noun

Months before the cancer diagnoses became a public issue, Creek Team OC, a small grassroots organization, was already campaigning against herbicide spraying in local waterways, arguing chemicals were harming creek ecosystems.

— Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
If control is needed immediately, liquid herbicide products are available for lawns following label instructions.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of herbicide

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

The venom takes effect within seconds, allowing the attacker to drag it to either its own burrow or the wasp’s.

— Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
Kenzie required two doses of anti-venom and a lengthy hospital stay to treat the snakebite, but has since fully recovered.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of venom

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

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“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pesticide

noun

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