as in poisons
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
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Recent Examples of toxins
These living materials could also serve as canaries in the coal mine for water safety, glowing brighter or dimming in the presence of specific toxins.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Those who develop hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may need hospitalization and dialysis to help their body remove toxins if their kidneys become affected or damaged.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Residents are not only smelling sewage every day, there is also a high probability that the odors carry toxins that will have long-term health effects.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Algal toxins can kill fish and dogs.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Many employees of the former Bannister Federal Complex received workers compensation after being exposed to toxins and getting sick.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
The fire spewed for hours, sending toxins and smoke into the air.
—Ginger Allen, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Most parts of the walnut tree release toxins, which are toxic to fruit-bearing trees, especially apples.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
State Farm also illegally denied payments for hygienic testing for toxins in smoke damage claims, the legal filings said.
—Tran Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Those who develop hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome may need hospitalization and dialysis to help their body remove toxins if their kidneys become affected or damaged.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Residents are not only smelling sewage every day, there is also a high probability that the odors carry toxins that will have long-term health effects.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Algal toxins can kill fish and dogs.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Many employees of the former Bannister Federal Complex received workers compensation after being exposed to toxins and getting sick.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
The fire spewed for hours, sending toxins and smoke into the air.
—Ginger Allen, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Most parts of the walnut tree release toxins, which are toxic to fruit-bearing trees, especially apples.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
State Farm also illegally denied payments for hygienic testing for toxins in smoke damage claims, the legal filings said.
—Tran Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxins
Noun
-
Don’t use poisons, traps, or deterrents that could cause harm.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
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And nobody from the department asked the legislature to reconsider recent laws that gradually banned the strongest rat poisons.—
Susan Shelley,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Manufacturers should be diligently working to clean up their supply chains and manufacturing practices to ensure their products are free of PFAS and other toxics.—
Sarah Todd,
STAT,
1 May 2026
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The Michigan Legislature passed a law in 2008 meant to protect the public from harmful electronic waste toxics.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Snakes help control rodent and insect populations, reducing the spread of diseases like Lyme disease.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Instead of a withering blast that annihilates you instantly, the real killer would be a highly elevated risk of cancer and degenerative diseases over time.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Natural products inspired by organisms include GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, spider and snake venoms, and compounds from plants and fungi with potential uses in pain relief and cancer treatment.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
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Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toxins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxins. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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