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 Most landscapes do not need pesticides to thrive, so put away the chemicals. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026 Fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides sit right where your dog sniffs and walks. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Earth-friendly gardeners strive to manage our gardens without pesticides. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 Baking soda works best on firm vegetables but doesn’t disinfect or remove pesticides absorbed into the produce. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026 Using chemical-laden sprays and repellents isn't always a desirable way to deal with these insect pests, and the use of chemical pesticides can cause harm to wildlife and kill beneficial pollinators. — The Spruce, 2 July 2026 Common household hazardous waste items include anti-freeze, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Food often contains residues from multiple pesticides, as monitoring programs in Europe and the United States have identified. — Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 Miller says other pesticides that are currently used in retail fly traps can be used, and continues to battle the USDA's exclusive focus on sterile flies. — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
  1. poisons
  2. insecticides
  3. herbicides
  4. diseases
  5. venoms
  6. toxics
Noun
  • Kara’s after Krem, too, after the space pirate poisons Krypto the Superdog and has the antidote to save him.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Kara also runs afoul of this crew, and their ruthless and eccentric leader Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) poisons her beloved Krypto.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 June 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
  • Always read directions and take precautions when using these herbicides.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Modales is also one of only a handful of Michigan wineries to achieve USDA organic certification for two of its vineyards, meaning their grapes are grown without synthetic herbicides, fungicides, pesticides or fertilizers.
    — Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of herbicides
Noun
  • In the 1940s, the widespread use of penicillin allowed for the treatment of diseases that were once fatal.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Minerals such as calcium, manganese, and fluoride support bone health, helping to prevent or manage diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • Some people are allergic to different venoms, and could experience life-threatening anaphylaxis without immediate treatment.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of venoms
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
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 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of pesticides for Spanish Speakers

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