as in poisoned
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing
some evil person was leaving out poisonous meat for neighborhood dogs to eat
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Recent Examples of poisonous
The poisonous kernels are responsible for a significant number of suicides and homicides, particularly in rural areas of South Asia.
—
Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
Looking at her computer's search history, investigators found that Patterson looked up a website listing sightings of the poisonous mushroom.
—Britt Clennett, ABC News, 30 May 2025
Growing up near the Everglades, Hiaasen would collect and sell poisonous snakes with his friends for $2 a foot (the rate for nonpoisonous snakes was lower).
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Now, the pair and a team of scientists have shared their latest research about an antivenom that can protect mice against the toxins of 19 species of poisonous snake.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
Looking at her computer's search history, investigators found that Patterson looked up a website listing sightings of the poisonous mushroom.
—Britt Clennett, ABC News, 30 May 2025
Growing up near the Everglades, Hiaasen would collect and sell poisonous snakes with his friends for $2 a foot (the rate for nonpoisonous snakes was lower).
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Now, the pair and a team of scientists have shared their latest research about an antivenom that can protect mice against the toxins of 19 species of poisonous snake.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisonous
Adjective
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Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
28 Feb. 2020
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Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
10 Feb. 2020
Adjective
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Law enforcement warned that burning lithium-ion batteries used in the cars release toxic gases, posing possible health risks.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The titular metaphor refers to a healing herb that becomes toxic in the wrong dosage, much as love requires the right proportions to find harmony.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Included in his collection of 20 non-penalty league goals were two pinpoint free kicks in Germany, a venomous strike against Brighton & Hove Albion, and a goal-of-the-season contender against Bournemouth, sending the ball dipping and swerving towards the top corner from all of 35 yards.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
9 June 2025
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The state agency advises members of the public not to kill a snake, even a venomous one, explaining that snakes do not prey on humans and will not chase them.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poisonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisonous. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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