pesticides

noun

plural of pesticide
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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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 pesticides Doll said these findings demonstrate that pesticide drift is not confined to agricultural fields and proves that more awareness and regulations are necessary to curb the widespread presence of pesticides in public spaces across the state. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 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 For some shoppers, concerns about pesticides may be enough to justify paying extra for organic berries. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026 The proposal would give the EU the power to ban imports with traces of pesticides that aren’t authorized in the bloc. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas said in South Florida’s climate, the real turf fields require irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026 Another farmer, Rymondy Mrosso, also questioned whether pesticides used by local farmers could explain the deaths and wondered why only elephants appeared to have been affected. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Management Early detection is essential for successfully controlling borers with pesticides applied to the tree through injections or soil drenches before the insects can cause much damage. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 Drones that are able to plant seeds and spray pesticides are also on the chopping block, which hits the DJI Agras drones used by farmers, as well as similar hardware from other manufacturers that's made outside the US. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
  1. poisons
  2. insecticides
  3. herbicides
  4. diseases
  5. venoms
  6. toxics
Noun
  • Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Russia accused of trying to undermine Ukraine's allies Russia has long been accused of targeting its enemies abroad, including by using rare poisons.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of poisons
Noun
  • Use Insecticides Control chiggers with insecticides like diatomaceous earth (DE), which is a natural insecticide that causes insects to dry out and die.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026
Definition of insecticides
Noun
  • In 2001, Fairfax lawmakers enacted a ban on all herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides on public land.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez emphasizes that the timing of the application of these DIY herbicides is important.
    — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of herbicides
Noun
  • Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Splitting up and spreading out childhood vaccines would be a seismic shift for families and a complicated, costly pursuit for the country that would only leave more people vulnerable to preventable diseases.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • Some venoms paralyze respiratory muscles, while others destroy tissue, disrupt blood clotting, damage kidneys, or trigger cardiovascular collapse.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Some people are allergic to different venoms, and could experience life-threatening anaphylaxis without immediate treatment.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Definition of venoms
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 toxics

Browse Nearby Words

pesticide
pesticides
pestiferous
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Cite this Entry

“Pesticides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticides. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pesticides

Nglish: Translation of pesticides for Spanish Speakers

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