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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Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Adjective
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Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
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The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.
Adjective
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If this World Cup has been trying for Iran, it’s been frustrating for Belgium, which hasn’t scored a goal of its own.
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The Netherlands are coming off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Japan and desperately need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Adjective
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That normalization may be the most disturbing aspect of all.
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Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing.
Cite this Entry
“Pestiferous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestiferous. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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