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
Consider using pesticides for severe infestations of adult beetles.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Republicans have traditionally aligned with chemical manufacturers and big agricultural interests on pesticides and herbicides, supporting the industries’ desire for less oversight and regulation.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Here’s what that could mean for health Of all the pesticides out there, few have sparked more controversy than glyphosate.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Iowa, which used 53 million pounds of pesticides last year, holds the nation’s title for second-highest cancer rate.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Republicans have traditionally aligned with chemical manufacturers and big agricultural interests on pesticides and herbicides, supporting the industries’ desire for less oversight and regulation.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Here’s what that could mean for health Of all the pesticides out there, few have sparked more controversy than glyphosate.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026
Iowa, which used 53 million pounds of pesticides last year, holds the nation’s title for second-highest cancer rate.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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Will these poisons leach into other fresh groundwater or private wells?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
To get rid of moles, there is no need to reach for chemical poisons—there are plenty of natural ways to deter moles.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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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While there are effective treatments, the tree would need continual insecticide applications throughout its life.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Give your trees complete care to prevent the spread of citrus greening by applying an insecticide as the new leaves develop.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of these products contain herbicides to ensure the tree does not sprout from the base.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Timing is critical here, as pre-emergent herbicides won't work on weeds that have already sprouted.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Detainees have described a camp where an average of about 3,000 people per day live in loud and unsanitary quarters, diseases spread easily and sleep is a luxury.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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That same month, Stewart, who had dedicated his career to ticks and Lyme disease as a federal scientist, retired early.—
Rachana Pradhan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Treat the plant with a fungicide and remove any infected leaves.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Apply a fungicide after pruning, following label instructions.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
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Treasury secretary blasts 'venom' from left after deadly Mar-a-Lago incident.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Taking supporting women’s wrongs—and rights—to new levels, everyone’s favorite toxic on-screen Girl Boss duo are back for a fourth season of Industry: Harper Stern and Yasmin Kara-Hanani.—
Chloe Laws,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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