TOXIN Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

toxin

noun

ˈtäk-sən

Definition of toxin

as in poison

a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases

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 toxin In the 25 years since the terror attacks of 9/11, thousands have died from cancer and other illnesses caused by the toxins in the air at Ground Zero in the days, weeks and months following the destruction of the World Trade Center. — New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 Springfield points out the historical difficulty of making toxins into aerosols. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026 Domoic acid is a toxin produced by algae and typically sickens animals that feed on open-ocean fish. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Some 60,000 people who were exposed to Ground Zero toxins have been diagnosed with cancer. — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toxin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxin

Noun

This evidence was not allowed to be presented at trial because the judges ruled that the prosecution had not disproved that the lethal poison could also be used for innocent purposes, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Though The Lizzie Borden Story positions her as Lizzie’s feminist Virgil, Bridget’s first instinct is to kill the Bordens with poison, which was then considered to be the feminine murder weapon.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of poison

Noun

In late May, about 50,000 people in Orange County were evacuated because, at a Garden Grove site operated by GKN Aerospace, tanks holding a volatile hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate were at risk of exploding or leaking toxics.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Munoz is an independent toxicologist working in collaboration with MAHA against pesticides and toxics.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of toxic

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

The venom takes effect within seconds, allowing the attacker to drag it to either its own burrow or the wasp’s.

— Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
Kenzie required two doses of anti-venom and a lengthy hospital stay to treat the snakebite, but has since fully recovered.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of venom

Browse Nearby Words

toxics

toxin

toxins

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Toxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxin. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of toxin

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on toxin

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes