pesticide

noun

Definition of pesticidenext
as in poison
a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops The family farm has gradually moved away from the use of pesticides.

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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 pesticide Schultz’s original bill would have phased out pesticides with PFAs and put California in line with Maine and Minnesota, which passed laws restricting their use. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The same four firms now sell both the seeds farmers plant and the pesticides those seeds are bred to work with. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Some areas and cities, including New York, spray pesticides to try to prevent the spread of the virus. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026 He's read some reports that link pesticides in the environment to the emergence of Parkinson's. — Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
  1. poison
  2. toxicant
  3. insecticide
  4. herbicide
  5. disease
  6. fungicide
  7. venom
  8. toxic
Noun
  • Liakopoulos cautions against using rodent poison to get rid of mice without the supervision of a pro.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Aquatic biologists will apply a piscicide, or an organic poison, to the waters to kill the brook trout.
    — Logan Smith, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of poison
Noun
  • Researchers found that 40% of the 97 participants had higher concentrations of a toxicant associated with the defunct LCP Chemicals plant than the national average.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • The ash from open burning can also contaminate soil and groundwater with persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and other toxicants, creating more chances for people to be exposed to them through food and water.
    — Ellen M. Considine, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Definition of toxicant
Noun
  • That building has since had two temporary closures for inspection and insecticide applications.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There is also a late-summer timeframe when an insecticide can be applied to control the insect in its crawler stage.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of insecticide
Noun
  • These plants were grown without herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But as post-WWII agriculture shifted toward chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and heavy machinery, the need for kudzu decreased rapidly, and the federal government retracted its support for the crop.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of herbicide
Noun
  • New findings by a team of researchers from the US and Australia have complicated an ongoing debate over whether a total joint arthroplasty may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the disease progresses, people can develop a stiff neck, seizures and coma.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Select a fungicide labeled for leaf spots on ornamentals and follow the label.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Neem oil, copper fungicide, or soil amendments are safer and more effective alternatives for common houseplant problems.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fungicide
Noun
  • Deputies tried to keep the man alert and clam to help avoid the venom's spread before medical personnel arrived, the Facebook post stated.
    — Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Veterinarians determined that the snake's venom poisoned Samba, prompting them to give her antivenin.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of venom
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

Browse Nearby Words

pesters
pesticide
pesticides
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pesticide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pesticide

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