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
Both of these compounds are found in a poisonous onion called gifbol (Boophone disticha) that is still used by the region’s Indigenous hunters.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
An herbalist who had a way with poisonous plants.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Others detect bitter tastes, tuning in to the large number of compounds in nature that are poisonous.
—Linda Bartoshuk, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
An herbalist who had a way with poisonous plants.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Others detect bitter tastes, tuning in to the large number of compounds in nature that are poisonous.
—Linda Bartoshuk, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisonous
Adjective
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Michelle spins a long and complicated tale, but insists Teddy was wrong about the Andromedans trying to infiltrate and poison humanity.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
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Constant procedural upheaval and backlogs are poison.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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They’re combined with a non-toxic, hypoallergenic down alternative filling, creating a plush and luxurious sleeping experience that’s designed for back, side, and stomach sleepers.—
Megan Schaltegger,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Many hominids went extinct during this period, and being able to consume alcohol without adverse and/or toxic effects would have conferred a survival advantage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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According to National Geographic, green anacondas are non-venomous, constricting snakes native to South America and are members of the boa family.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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There are others, too, that are venomous.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poisonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisonous. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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