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
After all, blueberries have been included in the Dirty Dozen List for fruits and vegetables that are most contaminated with pesticides.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
While bamboo itself is a natural material that grows abundantly and easily (with little need for pesticides), the chemicals used in processing increase its environmental impact.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Climate change has made habitat-restoration efforts more challenging, as have pollution from pesticides and even toxic tire dust.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
The incidents have mainly taken place in states where aerial pesticides have become more commonplace.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
For severe scale infestations on outdoor lemon trees, synthetic pesticides might be a last resort.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2026
Drums of pesticides and chemicals could be sent to the local dump along with tires and just about anything else people and companies wanted to get rid of.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Seaweed grows fast, needs no pesticides, requires no arable land, and thrives in marine environments.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Several pesticides may also disrupt the endocrine system, disrupting hormone function.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
While bamboo itself is a natural material that grows abundantly and easily (with little need for pesticides), the chemicals used in processing increase its environmental impact.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Climate change has made habitat-restoration efforts more challenging, as have pollution from pesticides and even toxic tire dust.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
The incidents have mainly taken place in states where aerial pesticides have become more commonplace.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
For severe scale infestations on outdoor lemon trees, synthetic pesticides might be a last resort.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2026
Drums of pesticides and chemicals could be sent to the local dump along with tires and just about anything else people and companies wanted to get rid of.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Seaweed grows fast, needs no pesticides, requires no arable land, and thrives in marine environments.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Several pesticides may also disrupt the endocrine system, disrupting hormone function.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
Noun
-
Perhaps because tomato juice is nutritious, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and the spiciness can induce a sweat, which, as people like to believe, rids the body of poisons.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Medical examiners would also conduct a chemical analysis during an autopsy to test for poisons and medical conditions.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers will not be permitted.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Even herbicides that target only broadleaf weeds can damage certain grass species, especially during early spring growth.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
If your plants were plagued by pests or diseases during the growing season, leaving diseased plant debris in your garden allows problems to overwinter and reinfect your plants in spring.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
When making cuts, prune at a 45-degree angle to help water run off and prevent diseases.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Funding a promising breakthrough In laboratory trials with rodents, the new nanobody antivenom prevented the deaths of mice exposed to venoms from 17 of the 18 snake species.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Neely Lab is interested in applying the technology to gene editing, having previously used CRISPR to understand the mechanisms behind how venoms cause cell death and pain, and how proteins bind to cells, including the crucial spike protein in SARS-CoV-2.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 12 Jan. 2026.
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