poison 1 of 3

poison

2 of 3

noun

as in toxic
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing the only way to get rid of rats is to leave out poison

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

poison

3 of 3

verb

1
2
3
4
as in to turn
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge malicious rumors had poisoned many church members against the new pastor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples 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 poison
Adjective
Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs. National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops. National Geographic, 10 Feb. 2020
Noun
With no available vaccine or antidote, the poison works by shutting down cells' ability to produce proteins, leading to fatal outcomes. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 In October 1964, a New York woman was arrested for handing out ant poison and dog treats to trick-or-treaters, according to the History Channel. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
And subsequent research has suggested most of those who were poisoned had been drinking this bootleg alcohol for pleasure or escape, not protection from COVID-19. Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024 The point wasn’t to poison anybody, authorities said. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for poison 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poison
Noun
  • Fipronil is also high toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • According to Apolo, theobromine, an alkaloid in the cacao beans used to make chocolate, makes chocolate toxic to canines.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Eight years have passed since the 2016 U.S. election was tainted with disinformation attributed to Moscow, and the government has not found a way to deter this kind of meddling.
    Simon Shuster, TIME, 2 Nov. 2024
  • There has been a rash of foodborne illnesses reported of late caused by food products potentially tainted with bacteria such as listeria, salmonella and E. coli bacteria.
    Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Commercial gift wraps can include glitter, which contains microplastics that pollute U.S. waters.
    Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Yet the literal tons of trash annually left by rivers and overpasses can also pollute waterways, to say nothing of the fire risk.
    Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • As the city's highway infrastructure degrades with age, the local group is advocating for a future rebuild that would better connect the neighborhoods surrounding the highway and improve drivers' commutes.
    Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Here's Why the Election May Already Be Over | Opinion Donald Trump has spent his entire adult life objectifying, demeaning, and degrading women.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Palm Springs hated his AIDS memorial design, but the artist turned the debacle into redemption.
    Alyssa Bereznak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
  • As temperatures are actually starting to turn, this Black Friday clothing sale couldn’t come at a better time for those of us who weren’t prepared to face the elements.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This genus is primarily known for its small but brightly colored amphibian species that are highly poisonous, most notably, the bright orange pumpkin toadlets, B. rotenbergae, B. ephippium and B. pitanga (more here).
    GrrlScientist, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Its most frightening aspect, though, is probably its poisonous bite.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • But though ruthlessly efficient at killing off some frog species, the fungus is highly vulnerable to heat: Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (about 85 degrees Fahrenheit) slow disease progression.
    Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The agency’s $48 billion budget funds medical research on cancers, vaccines and other diseases through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation.
    Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near poison

Cite this Entry

“Poison.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poison. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on poison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!