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
If outdoor dining is being ruined by buzzing pests, the Gootop bug zapper may be the easiest way to reclaim your outdoor space (and your cheeseburger)!
—
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
This genetic isolation also makes the island tree more vulnerable to environmental threats — such as drought, a new disease or pests — in comparison with a tree species with a more diverse gene pool.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
There’s also a mud layer at the top of the thatch, which was a critical addition to prevent rodents and other pests from burrowing inside.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 20, New Atlas, 20 May 2026
Within short order, these pests multiply and wreak havoc on both indoor and outdoor plants, including annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Fixing yellow leaves involves adjusting care, treating pests, or addressing soil problems.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 19 May 2026
When auditing temporary outdoor setups, inspectors look for specific structural safeguards to protect food from external contamination like weather elements and pests.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Don't let the wood-excavating pests make a mess of your home.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
In warmer early spring areas, marigolds help deter pests later in the season, and sweet alyssum offers a low-growing, pollinator-friendly option.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
This genetic isolation also makes the island tree more vulnerable to environmental threats — such as drought, a new disease or pests — in comparison with a tree species with a more diverse gene pool.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
There’s also a mud layer at the top of the thatch, which was a critical addition to prevent rodents and other pests from burrowing inside.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 20, New Atlas, 20 May 2026
Within short order, these pests multiply and wreak havoc on both indoor and outdoor plants, including annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Fixing yellow leaves involves adjusting care, treating pests, or addressing soil problems.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 19 May 2026
When auditing temporary outdoor setups, inspectors look for specific structural safeguards to protect food from external contamination like weather elements and pests.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Don't let the wood-excavating pests make a mess of your home.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
In warmer early spring areas, marigolds help deter pests later in the season, and sweet alyssum offers a low-growing, pollinator-friendly option.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
-
Its buttery texture melts onto the lips, bypassing the drag and pull that plagues drier drugstore pencils.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Another kind of typhus, carried by lice and caused by the bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii, produced historic plagues that devastated populations during times of war, famine and poverty, the National Institutes for Health said.—
Don Sweeney
April 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Land use regulations were legally justified as preventing nuisances, but in reality, the goal of many municipal leaders was to promote socially and racially homogenous neighborhoods, protect property values and keep property taxes low.—
Michael Schill,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Previous modernization efforts The airport has previously suffered from a host of issues that have proved nuisances for travelers, including green liquid falling from the ceiling and broken escalators.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The need to seek alternative Internet fiber routes comes on top of Big Tech’s other headaches from the war and Strait of Hormuz crisis.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
-
Scarlett Johansson is Hester, Irwin’s wife, whose terrible headaches and blurred vision result in a devastating medical diagnosis.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite that optimism, Landsvik still engages with Maja’s rightful annoyances with the world she is forced to live in.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
For instance, many partners have small gripes or annoyances with habits that are annoying at worst, but far from an outright red flag — like a partner that chews somewhat loudly, leaves cabinet doors open or hums constantly while working.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Removing the thorns may help our favorite novels appeal to a wider audience, but such refinements make art feel as lifeless as Catherine Linton’s corpse at the end of Emerald Fennell’s film.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
That’s a whole lot of people — 24 of the 30 in this group alone — and Vought really isn’t helping their case with their hilariously corny promo of Jesus Christ himself passing the torch (or rather the crown of thorns).—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
For decades, scientists assumed the primary purpose of sneezing was simply to expel irritants from the upper airway.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Federal agents also tackled several people and deployed chemical irritants at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
That potential is why the Bills chose to exercise the fifth-year option from his rookie contract despite recurring medical frustrations.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Others focused on the park-wide outage itself, with some guests sharing frustrations about long waits and ride shutdowns throughout the day.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The Mersin governor’s office said the man had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric problems.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Scientists have to solve all problems at once, because only the overlap is where progress happens.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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