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 10 dead roaches were a testament to the efficacy of the tracking power pesticide.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
The Bardwells rotate their crops, minimize their use of pesticides, and presumably contribute to the de-poisoning of America’s K-12 cafeterias.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Loss of habitat and use of pesticides have shrunk the mascot’s numbers.
—Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Before eating, wash the watermelon thoroughly to remove any pesticides or impurities from the skin.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
The Bardwells rotate their crops, minimize their use of pesticides, and presumably contribute to the de-poisoning of America’s K-12 cafeterias.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Loss of habitat and use of pesticides have shrunk the mascot’s numbers.
—Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Before eating, wash the watermelon thoroughly to remove any pesticides or impurities from the skin.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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There is no faster poison than despair declared permanent.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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Eduardo Capitani, toxicologist and pulmonologist at the Center for Intoxication Control at the University of Campinas, one of the country’s leading poison-control and research centers, was one of the first to alert the government that a health emergency was underway.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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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Look for an insecticide spray containing carbaryl or bifenthrin.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
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Seal cracks and entry points, apply residual insecticide before sealing and install door sweeps, weather-stripping and vent screens.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The trees produce a natural herbicide in their seed pods and roots that prevents other plant growth below the tree.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Use a pre-emergence herbicide before winter if weeds have been taking over the lawn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That research has also linked ultraprocessed foods to health concerns like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Other factors include age (most cases occur after age 50), diet (a high-fat diet can increase cancer risk), and family history of the disease.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Apply Azoxystrobin turf fungicide to stop it.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
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Adjust lawncare practices such as mowing at the proper height and not over-irrigating and apply a fungicide, according to label instructions, says Waltz.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Spiders have venom to subdue prey, but the majority have fangs that are too tiny to puncture human skin.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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Luckily the snake did not inject any venom.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Israeli policy has made the very subject toxic, turning normalization into a domestic and strategic risk for Arab leaders and their governments.—
GALIP DALAY,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Oct. 2025
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Environmental advocates say the new regulation of air toxics, which was required under a 2022 bill called Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants, will make the state’s air cleaner and its people healthier.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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