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
Researchers have spent decades developing potatoes for chip makers that can grow in all kinds of climates, avoid diseases and pests, sit in storage for months and still deliver a satisfying crunch.
—
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are usually hit hard by pests, including slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
And, other, more obscure, pests will likely eat at the leaf margins from the outside in.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
When drought, pests, or forest fires strike, entire monoculture plantations can fail at once.
—John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 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
Tough, undemanding, and rarely bothered by pests, a cheery patch of daffodils can last for generations.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are usually hit hard by pests, including slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
And, other, more obscure, pests will likely eat at the leaf margins from the outside in.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
When drought, pests, or forest fires strike, entire monoculture plantations can fail at once.
—John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 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
Tough, undemanding, and rarely bothered by pests, a cheery patch of daffodils can last for generations.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
-
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
-
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
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
-
Plan ahead as much as possible Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The birds, federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, have become yearly headaches for neighborhoods around the Metroplex as the birds flock to residential areas to nest.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 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
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Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Natural solutions like baking soda mixed with essential oils or a light vinegar spray for odors and stains are gentler alternatives that avoid introducing new irritants into your sleep environment.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That means every room your kids sleep, play and eat in gets a fresh dose of dust particles and irritants — especially important if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The power struggle came about after Rivas challenged Rendon, capitalizing on Democrats’ frustrations over changes in committee leadership and Rendon’s shelving of a single-payer health care bill.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The vision conceived by museum director and Chief Executive Michael Govan and architect Peter Zumthor is not perfect, and brings with it a modest set of frustrations, but as a whole, the installation registers as ravishing and bracingly fresh.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The post attracted a fair amount of backlash, with people pointing out the problems associated with data centers and intellectual property, and accusing Witherspoon of being paid by AI companies to promote generative tools.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
As the case heads before the state's highest court, residents are asking whether people exposed during the fire can receive medical monitoring designed to catch potential health problems early.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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