as in annoying
causing annoyance
a pestiferous weed that has given gardeners no end of grief
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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
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At the same time, workplace politics could feel extra stressful and annoying, especially if someone becomes threatened by your confidence.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The predatory add-ons were annoying.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driver recovery can automate what used to be an irritating manual process.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
-
No-see-um bites may be painful and irritating.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
At a time when air travel can often feel routine if not outright frustrating, inaugural flights can be reminiscent of an era where every trip was more of a special event.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Madrid’s two Englishmen were having frustrating evenings.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fetish camboy Aaron Eagle (Kieron Moore) agrees to spend the night with an anonymous client, only to discover a disturbing tie to his past.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
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In the spring of 2018, federal prosecutors arrested both Raniere and Mack (along with four other individuals) and leveled disturbing accusations against the pair.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pestiferous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestiferous. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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