as in poisons
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 pesticides
The nitrates come from fertilizer and pesticides that make their way into the soil and then waterways like the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.
—
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Because much of bluebirds' diet is insects, avoiding pesticides is necessary to keep them healthy.
—Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Over-the-counter pesticides and fogs will not do the job.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The district monitors and sprays pesticides at breeding sites — including local rivers, streams and locations such as Morris Dam — and sets traps in foothill communities to track the population size and minimize the effects on residents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Her office said that lab testing confirmed some products contained lead, arsenic, mercury, ethanol, solvents, pesticides and other unknown products.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Three pesticides that regularly showed up in EWG’s report include fludioxonil, which was found in 14% of all produce samples and about 90% of all peaches and plums tested, as well as fluopyran and bifenthrin, which are found in many different fruits and vegetables.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
The risk of adaptation is highest under a continuous, strong selection pressure, so minimizing, switching and staggering pesticides can help thwart resistance.
—Jacob A Tennessen, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Organophosphorus is a compound that can be used in fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and exposure can cause the nervous system to stop working properly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Because much of bluebirds' diet is insects, avoiding pesticides is necessary to keep them healthy.
—Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Over-the-counter pesticides and fogs will not do the job.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The district monitors and sprays pesticides at breeding sites — including local rivers, streams and locations such as Morris Dam — and sets traps in foothill communities to track the population size and minimize the effects on residents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Her office said that lab testing confirmed some products contained lead, arsenic, mercury, ethanol, solvents, pesticides and other unknown products.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Three pesticides that regularly showed up in EWG’s report include fludioxonil, which was found in 14% of all produce samples and about 90% of all peaches and plums tested, as well as fluopyran and bifenthrin, which are found in many different fruits and vegetables.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
The risk of adaptation is highest under a continuous, strong selection pressure, so minimizing, switching and staggering pesticides can help thwart resistance.
—Jacob A Tennessen, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Organophosphorus is a compound that can be used in fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and exposure can cause the nervous system to stop working properly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
Noun
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When new hire Pumpkin arrives and challenges their performative sisterhood, the women are forced to confront their own poisons.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
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The full Senate is set to consider Senate Bill 62, a measure that would restrict the sale and use of certain rat poisons in Colorado, for an informal vote.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Know your weeds and the herbicides that provide control; make applications as needed.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
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Many of the vets had been exposed to Agent Orange, a blend of herbicides that the military used to peel back dense foliage during the war.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Supplements can’t claim to treat specific diseases or medical conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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There are over 10,000 rare diseases — 95% of which don't have a cure.—
Brad Quick,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Natural products inspired by organisms include GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, spider and snake venoms, and compounds from plants and fungi with potential uses in pain relief and cancer treatment.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
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Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
“Pesticides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticides. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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