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
When Floyd is found dead at a community pool surrounded by a poisonous cocktail and a vintage Playgirl magazine, two detectives (Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday) begin unraveling the bizarre chain of events that led to his death.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
These shrubs often used near foundations produce poisonous red berries.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Some cause allergies, skin reactions, or are poisonous.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
The whisky was slightly poisonous.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
These shrubs often used near foundations produce poisonous red berries.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Some cause allergies, skin reactions, or are poisonous.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
The whisky was slightly poisonous.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poisonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisonous
Adjective
-
Power to the people is poison to the powerful.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Dropped in recent years because carbs are poison.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
They are filled with hateful bigotry and toxic and dangerous lies.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The first fight between on-the-rocks elder millennials Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), witnessed by the young betrotheds Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny), creates the toxic connection between the couples and sets off everything else that happens on the show.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Snake found in drywall, secured in a bucket The non-venomous rat snake was reportedly found in drywall during a home remodel in the 7000 block of Lullwater Cove, McManus said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
-
On average, five people die nationwide from venomous snakebites annually, according to federal health officials.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poisonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisonous. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
