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
As bat populations have collapsed, farmers have turned to more expensive and less effective alternatives like pesticides.
—
Leah Campbell, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Those floodwaters likely diluted pesticides beyond hazardous levels, said Qing Li, a professor at the University of Hawaii’s molecular bioscience and bioengineering department.
—Thomas Heaton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Going pesticide-free is also a family health value.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Restaurants are supposed to use pesticides approved for use in a food facility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Leah Campbell, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Those floodwaters likely diluted pesticides beyond hazardous levels, said Qing Li, a professor at the University of Hawaii’s molecular bioscience and bioengineering department.
—Thomas Heaton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Going pesticide-free is also a family health value.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Restaurants are supposed to use pesticides approved for use in a food facility.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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The applicator's reservoir is first filled with the poison.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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After the play-within-a-play, there’s no turning back, and the blood flows like wine or poison.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 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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And board member Mavis Bates asked if American elm trees are susceptible to Dutch elm disease, to which Fahnestock said there are steps the county could take like using insecticide or fungicide, doing regular inspections and planting the tree away from existing elm trees so disease doesn’t spread.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Some roaches like German cockroaches actually develop a resistance to insecticide, so multiple methods may be needed to get rid of them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Now, climate change is the top reason, with others including pesticides, herbicides and competition from honeybees.—
Liz Ohanesian,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
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Not every herbicide does a good job of killing creeping Charlie.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Researchers still do not fully understand why some women with endometriosis struggle to conceive while others do not, and treating the disease does not reliably restore fertility.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Reddy told Fox News Digital that salmonella bacteria can only be killed by cooking a raw egg — and the disease's symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For example, a fungicide can only help control apple scab on a flowering crabapple tree if it’s sprayed just when the leaf buds are opening in spring.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Also, apply a fungicide at week two.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The injured party should not apply a tourniquet, apply ice, try to suck out the venom or cut the wound, the agency warned.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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The two alternate versions of each other trade insults, but Spidey Miles charges up an electric venom shock and frees himself.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
14 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2026.
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