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
While valley farmers are used to dealing with droughts and invasive pests, there's now a growing concern over politics impacting their profits.
—
James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Turn a Blind Eye to Voles Voles are mouse-like rodent pests that can damage your grass.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
When the invasive pests first appeared in South Florida a few years ago, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Additionally, decorations made of thin plastics, foam, or fabric don’t age well in hot attics, often melting, crumbling, or attracting pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
First, isolate the plant, as these pests can spread quickly to other houseplants.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Don’t use dull cutting tools that create jagged cuts where pests and disease can enter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
According to the university, the USDA funding supports 4-H, a social and educational youth program; training to help farmers manage pests; and research to ensure the sustainability of Maine’s lobster industry, among other programs.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Turn a Blind Eye to Voles Voles are mouse-like rodent pests that can damage your grass.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
When the invasive pests first appeared in South Florida a few years ago, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Additionally, decorations made of thin plastics, foam, or fabric don’t age well in hot attics, often melting, crumbling, or attracting pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
First, isolate the plant, as these pests can spread quickly to other houseplants.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
Don’t use dull cutting tools that create jagged cuts where pests and disease can enter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
According to the university, the USDA funding supports 4-H, a social and educational youth program; training to help farmers manage pests; and research to ensure the sustainability of Maine’s lobster industry, among other programs.
—Reuters, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
-
But the add-on to lock devices separated from their owner’s watch is a major plus point, especially as the smartphone theft pandemic plagues users worldwide.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids Food Storage Containers Finding the right lid to fit your food storage container plagues just about all of us, but this set solves that problem.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The park doesn’t need all these associated nuisances.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In Milwaukee, nuisances include loud music, loitering and littering.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But in the weeks leading up to Christmas of 2021, Avery started getting headaches.—
Isabella Backman,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
-
No headaches, no residual or negative effects from the accident.—
Will Rice,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Congress used to debate authorizing such things, but with the GOP House and Senate now reduced to glorified White House staff offices, Trump need not trifle with such annoyances.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Kiehl’s Hydration 2 The Max Set Winter can bring its fair share of skin annoyances and complications—namely, dry skin.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These territorial thorns aside, Zelensky has said a proposed three-way split of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant between the US, Russia and Ukraine remains a big stumbling block.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1, her first sneaker collaboration, released in 2023 with a predominantly red colorway featuring green thorns on its Swoosh and a massive removable gold-tone metal charm featuring her initials and a rose.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At the peak of the standoffs between protesters and federal officers on Saturday, airborne chemical irritants were discharged by officers and whistling and shouting were audible on live video from CBS Minnesota.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
More often than not, sneezing is due to respiratory infections, foreign bodies that have gotten into the nasal passages, or various irritants found in the environment.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The weather — moods, misunderstandings, frustrations, disappointments — is variable.—
Glenn Kurlander,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In a December meeting, commissioners acknowledged customers’ frustrations, but added that the winds blew down hundreds of power lines onto the dry landscape.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bera added that agricultural problems ultimately impact all consumers.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Onsite quantum advantage The Advantage2 system uses quantum annealing, a method designed to solve highly complex optimization problems that are difficult for classical computers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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