as in annoying
causing annoyance
a pestiferous weed that has given gardeners no end of grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 pestiferous
Structured as entries in Emily’s field journal, the novel lays out her aims, her curmudgeonly nature and her pestiferous relationship with one Wendell Bambleby — a charismatic fellow researcher and sometime rival who Emily suspects is a fairy himself.
—
Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 12 Dec. 2017
After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness.
—Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017
Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 12 Dec. 2017
After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness.
—Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017
Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestiferous
Adjective
-
Frankie Montas Montas is slated to miss all of next season, and so his $17 million player option is easier than any decision in those annoying Capital One ads.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
There was one distraction during the number when the director made their performance look like a TikTok video, complete with a stream of annoying comments to the left of Leavitt’s tush.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The more irritating the characters get, the more compelling the movie becomes.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This silky, fragrance-free formula delivers all the benefits of retinol—like smoothing fine lines, refining texture, and evening skin tone—without a heavy or irritating feel.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Odegaard’s recent medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee will be doubly frustrating as a result, with that pair now missing opportunities to build more chemistry.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Label your bulbs now to avoid frustrating mix-ups later.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pestiferous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestiferous. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share