1
as in plagues
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nuisances
one who is obnoxiously annoying
stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pests
What are the best ways to prevent pests?
—
Hali Smith
april 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
These pests love high grasses and often climb high in order to best cling to pet fur and anyone else walking around.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
There are non-toxic ways to eliminate rodent pests.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Participants also are frequently barred from bringing in outside food, to keep from attracting roaches, mice and other pests.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In large enough numbers, these pests can reduce the bounty of your harvest and kill the plants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the biggest advantages of greenhouse growing is shielding your plants from pests and disease.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Base plans that cover the top pests in your area are covered under this plan, but other pests, like mosquitos and termites, are separate.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Use these tips to further avoid spreading harmful pests.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025
Hali Smith
april 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
These pests love high grasses and often climb high in order to best cling to pet fur and anyone else walking around.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
There are non-toxic ways to eliminate rodent pests.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Participants also are frequently barred from bringing in outside food, to keep from attracting roaches, mice and other pests.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In large enough numbers, these pests can reduce the bounty of your harvest and kill the plants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the biggest advantages of greenhouse growing is shielding your plants from pests and disease.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Base plans that cover the top pests in your area are covered under this plan, but other pests, like mosquitos and termites, are separate.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Use these tips to further avoid spreading harmful pests.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
-
Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
When Pharaoh refused, God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt as punishment, destroying crops and livestock and afflicting the people, according to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The end of the hibernation period in spring brings new bat movement, which means more nuisances for homes with roosts.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Building this into your trip early saves headaches later.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The trigeminal nerve is also responsible for migraine headaches, which is why a brain freeze can feel a lot like a 30-second migraine.—
Julia Daye,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To be sure, there can be annoyances.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In order to make sure horses keep their cool among loud, unpredictable crowds, officers do desensitization training with speakers, sirens, inflatable tube men, kazoos, fireworks, flags and all manner of annoyances.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fortunately, more and more brands are now formulating deodorants without common allergens and irritants.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There certainly are harmful chemicals, carcinogens, toxins, heavy metals, respiratory irritants and other things inside of there that certainly can cause immediate harm.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Royals’ offense had its early-season frustrations a year ago before turning it on after the All-Star break — albeit too late to make a playoff run.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Many seemed to view her frustrations as unearned self-victimization and willful isolation from her wealthy white castmates.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his career ended prematurely when persistent groin problems eventually resulted in the diagnosis of a degenerative right side.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
One begins to think that the condition is hereditary—that, instead of a Habsburg jaw, the wealthy white denizens of New Orleans high society are saddled with emotional problems.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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