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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of poisonous
Blending cozy and hard-boiled, classic and contemporary, McDowell explores plant-loving detectives, poisonous plots and sinister settings, showing how gardening continues to inspire mystery writers and their most chilling tales.
—
Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Somewhat surprisingly, though, bitterness level doesn’t necessarily mean something is poisonous.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Nitrogen oxides are poisonous gases that help form lung-damaging soot particles, which can travel hundreds of miles.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
After the poisonous snowfall begins, Salvo sets out to rescue his daughter, Clara, who was on a boat at the beginning of the attack.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Somewhat surprisingly, though, bitterness level doesn’t necessarily mean something is poisonous.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Nitrogen oxides are poisonous gases that help form lung-damaging soot particles, which can travel hundreds of miles.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
After the poisonous snowfall begins, Salvo sets out to rescue his daughter, Clara, who was on a boat at the beginning of the attack.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisonous
Adjective
-
Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
28 Feb. 2020
-
Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
10 Feb. 2020
Adjective
-
From start to finish, Magic Mike XXL is an absolute joy—a film that boldly rejects toxic masculinity, that isn’t driven by rivalries or alpha dynamics or cynicism, that features men who build each other up, who cry together, who admit fears, who help each other accomplish their goals.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
-
For more than 100 years, trash, toxic materials, and sewage from failing treatment plants on both sides of the border have fouled the river.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
The presence of another scorpionfish along the Australian coast is noteworthy because of their venomous nature.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
-
Chavis told the hard-hitting yet undersized safety to embrace the ethos of a honey badger, which fearlessly takes on venomous cobras and swaths of bees without fear of repercussion.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poisonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisonous. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share