pesticide

noun

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 Traditional pesticides are not always effective at killing spiders. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026 Many native bees are threatened by pesticide use, habitat loss, climate change, and displacement by European honeybees. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The agency said that prior owners of the property conducted pesticide research and, according to the state and county’s own filing, mismanaged hazardous materials at the property for decades. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026 Those measures include checking the foundations of each portable classroom, applying pesticides and increasing maintenance support for daily vacuuming. — Conor McGill, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
  1. poison
  2. toxicant
  3. insecticide
  4. herbicide
  5. disease
  6. fungicide
  7. venom
  8. toxic
Noun
  • Aquatic biologists will apply a piscicide, or an organic poison, to the waters to kill the brook trout.
    — Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This included a witness who claimed that Lizzie Borden had tried to buy prussic acid, a fast-acting poison containing hydrogen cyanide, the day before the murders.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 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
  • That building has since had two temporary closures for inspection and insecticide applications.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There is also a late-summer timeframe when an insecticide can be applied to control the insect in its crawler stage.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of insecticide
Noun
  • Messinger notes that using an herbicide specifically labeled for Bermuda grass can be an effective control method.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But sedges can be eliminated from Florida lawns with herbicides available at garden centers.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of herbicide
Noun
  • But rates of cardiac disease have fallen in recent years, as the medical community pivots to managing cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes—all risk factors for heart disease.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The administration said 80% of insurers pledged changes to preauthorization requirements for 80% of diseases and injuries by January 2026.
    — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
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
Definition of fungicide
Noun
  • Chelsea attack with venom; Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers are darting flashes of blue steel.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Again, a dose of anti-venom was immediately administered after Magic was taken to the vet.
    — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 24 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pesticide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pesticide

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