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 justices are deciding whether a federal law regulating pesticides prevents Roundup users from suing Bayer in state court.
—
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Some of these pesticides have long lifespans, even up to three years or more, and are able to drift far and wide, even ending up inside your house.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Natalie’s husband, Caleb, is the youngest son of a senator and a terrible farmer whose failures on their Idaho land have to be propped up by day laborers, secret barrels of pesticides, and Natalie’s social-media income.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Several herbs, vegetables, and flowering plants can help keep your tubers growing strong and pest-free without resorting to toxic pesticides.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2026
There are environmental factors as well, including a potential link to microplastics and a potential link to pesticides.
—Eva Flowe
updated May 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Corn crops require agricultural land, fresh water and pesticides while kelp, by contrast, can be grown in the ocean with minimal resources.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Relatively simple interventions, like planting wildflowers that give extra food for insects, providing bee nesting sites, and reducing pesticides, can help insects recover.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 6 May 2026
Conventional bananas from the grocery store can contain pesticides on the peels, which will be introduced to plants and soil if used in water.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 5 May 2026
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Some of these pesticides have long lifespans, even up to three years or more, and are able to drift far and wide, even ending up inside your house.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Natalie’s husband, Caleb, is the youngest son of a senator and a terrible farmer whose failures on their Idaho land have to be propped up by day laborers, secret barrels of pesticides, and Natalie’s social-media income.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Several herbs, vegetables, and flowering plants can help keep your tubers growing strong and pest-free without resorting to toxic pesticides.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2026
There are environmental factors as well, including a potential link to microplastics and a potential link to pesticides.
—Eva Flowe
updated May 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Corn crops require agricultural land, fresh water and pesticides while kelp, by contrast, can be grown in the ocean with minimal resources.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Relatively simple interventions, like planting wildflowers that give extra food for insects, providing bee nesting sites, and reducing pesticides, can help insects recover.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 6 May 2026
Conventional bananas from the grocery store can contain pesticides on the peels, which will be introduced to plants and soil if used in water.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
Noun
-
People shouldn’t use poisons, which could hurt other wildlife, pets and kids.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 May 2026
-
Don’t use poisons, traps, or deterrents that could cause harm.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to cutting down the fees associated with lawn-maintenance equipment, fertilizers, and herbicides, buying clover seed is often less expensive than grass.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
-
Pre-emergent herbicides work by inhibiting root development immediately after a seed germinates.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Fungal infections, leaf spot diseases, scale insects, and spider mites are among the most common culprits.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
August is when the season begins to ebb, with fewer nymphs around and eggs hatching larvae that are largely free of diseases.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Manufacturers should be diligently working to clean up their supply chains and manufacturing practices to ensure their products are free of PFAS and other toxics.—
Sarah Todd,
STAT,
1 May 2026
-
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
“Pesticides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticides. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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