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
Screens with holes and gaps provide easy access for flies and other pests to enter.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Grow Repellant Plants Some plants entice gophers to visit gardens, while other plants naturally repel gophers and other pests away from flower and vegetable beds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
My own experience with night pests was at a time of utter exhaustion— too much work undertaken, interlocking circumstances that made the work twice as arduous, illness within and around— the old story of troubles never coming singly.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Eric Nieusma, an organic and regenerative farmer, notes that degraded potting soil also appears very dry, lacks dark organic matter, and may show signs of pests on the surface.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Be vigilant to avoid pests and diseases from becoming rampant.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
Leafy greens like head and leaf lettuce, spinach, and kale typically have very few pests aside from slugs early in the growing season and require very little input beyond abundant water and nitrogen.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 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
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Grow Repellant Plants Some plants entice gophers to visit gardens, while other plants naturally repel gophers and other pests away from flower and vegetable beds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
My own experience with night pests was at a time of utter exhaustion— too much work undertaken, interlocking circumstances that made the work twice as arduous, illness within and around— the old story of troubles never coming singly.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Eric Nieusma, an organic and regenerative farmer, notes that degraded potting soil also appears very dry, lacks dark organic matter, and may show signs of pests on the surface.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Be vigilant to avoid pests and diseases from becoming rampant.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026
Leafy greens like head and leaf lettuce, spinach, and kale typically have very few pests aside from slugs early in the growing season and require very little input beyond abundant water and nitrogen.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 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
-
At least 25 are killed as flash flooding plagues Nairobi.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Lack of evidence plagues investigation Investigators have combed Guthrie's home and the surrounding areas, but little physical evidence has been recovered.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Property owners who tolerate habitual nuisances will have to meet certain standards set by the city and pay fees to reimburse the city for enforcement resources.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Patients can also experience fever, headaches and body aches.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Donor requests for internships for their family members also led to overcrowding in the office and logistical headaches for schedulers, one former staffer said.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even little annoyances take away from our ability to enjoy what life has to offer.—
Barton Goldsmith,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This funky little beach town checks all the boxes for a great seaside destination, with none of the annoyances— like huge crowds and towering high rises—of more popular spots.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lisianthus, sometimes referred to as the rose without thorns, is a favorite among florists and gardeners alike.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
-
As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.—
Kathryn Kovalenko,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some employees publicly expressed their frustrations.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Some residents expressed their frustrations about the small town’s few voting locations and how the new primary voting location policies might push people away.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Patients affected by the condition targeted by Tuesday's approval experience movement disorders, seizures and other neurological problems that can resemble symptoms of autism.—
MATTHEW PERRONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Sasaki’s first two starts in Cactus League play featured some problems with command and plenty of hard contact.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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