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
Outer openings not protected against entry of pests.
—
Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Thoroughly inspect all home goods by checking for visible damage, odors, missing pieces, and signs of pests.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Insect pests of camellias include tea scales and aphids, both of which produce a waste product called honeydew that encourages sooty mold on the foliage.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
And then defensively, just try to be pests, try to create turnovers, which kind of helps our offense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
What this means is that the vineyard is less susceptible to the pests that plague vines around the world.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025
Spotted lanternflies are notorious invasive pests that have chewed through much of the eastern United States since 2014.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
How to Protect Your Luggage From Bed Bugs From delayed flights to lost luggage, travel is already anxiety-inducing enough without adding these pervasive pests to the mix.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
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
Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Thoroughly inspect all home goods by checking for visible damage, odors, missing pieces, and signs of pests.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Insect pests of camellias include tea scales and aphids, both of which produce a waste product called honeydew that encourages sooty mold on the foliage.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
And then defensively, just try to be pests, try to create turnovers, which kind of helps our offense.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
What this means is that the vineyard is less susceptible to the pests that plague vines around the world.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025
Spotted lanternflies are notorious invasive pests that have chewed through much of the eastern United States since 2014.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025
How to Protect Your Luggage From Bed Bugs From delayed flights to lost luggage, travel is already anxiety-inducing enough without adding these pervasive pests to the mix.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
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
-
Sure, to be entirely historically accurate, negative things like plagues, beheadings and poverty would likely factor in to the villagers’ lives.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Decades ago, marshes were considered nuisances, soggy flats to be drained, dried, and made waterproof with liberal coatings of asphalt.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And constant headaches coming from upstairs.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
-
But that will not solve all their scheduling headaches.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since his introduction in Peacemaker’s first season, the sarcastic, Cheeto-devouring martial arts expert has been one of the sharpest thorns in the sides of the 11th Street Kids.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One of my long-standing annoyances with macOS was the lack of control over the menu bar.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Minor annoyances suddenly widen into a chasm neither can cross.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Protests broke out in the city Saturday and armed border patrol agents deployed what appeared to be chemical irritants toward protesters.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Protests in Morocco and Madagascar, two disparate and distant African countries, highlight the younger generation’s frustrations over enduring years of poor governance.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Two days later, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr voiced his frustrations over Kimmel's comments and ABC temporarily pulled Kimmel from the air, while broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar continued to preempt the show following its return on Sept 23.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are still problems on defense.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The path forward But whoever wins, securing the party leadership is just the first step – and a host of problems await.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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