1
as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of pest
Beyond lackluster performances and the persistence of pests, the insecticides harmed other wildlife.
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Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
If the rodent has eaten poison, as is commonly used for pest control, the cat eating it is also at risk and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The worker sent pictures of the bugs to Kwik Trip Internal Operations Support, and a pest control work order was place at 1 a.m. on Oct. 21.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The fruit and leaves must also be inspected at least once daily for pests and disease—no small feat as their surface area balloons.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest 
Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
If the rodent has eaten poison, as is commonly used for pest control, the cat eating it is also at risk and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The worker sent pictures of the bugs to Kwik Trip Internal Operations Support, and a pest control work order was place at 1 a.m. on Oct. 21.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The fruit and leaves must also be inspected at least once daily for pests and disease—no small feat as their surface area balloons.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Their decline was largely due to a combination of habitat loss, diseases including the sylvatic plague and a reduction in their primary food source: prairie dogs.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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The counterculture was defeated, and in its place came plague, death, and Reaganism.Brandon Sanchez, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The world wars turned the insect from a nuisance to a mortal threat.Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
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But, as this CNN investigation reveals, this public nuisance has an exploitative underbelly that warrants scrutiny.Longreads, Longreads, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Exposure to high concentrations can cause people to lose consciousness and can lead to long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory and poor motor function, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
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Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, mild headache, and a low-grade fever.Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, Health, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
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The lawsuit, filed by California resident Victor Cho, alleges a violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act, a federal law barring the disclosure of information about viewing habits that’s long been a thorn in the side of streaming providers.Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But then there are the annoyances that truly seem created for the sole purpose of annoying.Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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Another minor annoyance is that the on-screen text is pretty small.PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In some cases, irritants such as smoke, dust, or chemical fumes can inflame the bronchial tubes, causing acute bronchitis.Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
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Brushing helps spread the oils their skin produces, keeping your kitty’s coat shiny and free of irritants.Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
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But with crucial deadlines and the land deal itself hanging in the balance, the county’s apparent lack of movement was a source of frustration at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting.Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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Voter frustrations with the economy and immigration are fueling Trump’s slight advantage among Arizona voters.Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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