pests

noun

plural of pest
1
as in plagues
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

Relevance
2
as in nuisances
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 headaches
something that is a source of irritation a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pests Insecticides Spraying feeders with insecticides may seem like a smart way to keep pests away from bird seed, but these products can cause more harm than good. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 In one of the findings, bat houses — artificial roosts in urban environments, similar to nest boxes for birds — were doing their job helping to suppress pests on pecan farms in Texas. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Cedarwood Oil Cedarwood is another essential oil with an unpleasant smell to mice as well as other pests. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026 The incentive for them is the opposite of what our forests need — protecting old, established trees that will survive pests and fire. — Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Even in paradise, a few tiny pests can put a damper on an otherwise idyllic vacation. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 If your fridge still has issues or you spot pests, consider hiring a professional. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026 The same process occurs in the radish’s spicier cousins, and the resulting chemicals are thought to help deter herbivores and pests. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 These crops have fewer pests, or where needed, they can be picked off or treated with natural insecticides. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
  1. plagues
  2. nuisances
  3. headaches
  4. annoyances
  5. thorns
  6. irritants
  7. frustrations
  8. problems
Noun
  • Most people go to campgrounds to escape the plagues of modern technology, so try to keep the decibels to a minimum.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The deadliest animal to have ever roamed the earth is not the great white shark, or snakes, or even rats that caused three great plagues in history, decimating the human population at the time.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
Definition of plagues
Noun
  • Others argued that the report seems to cast members of the media as nuisances to be dealt with, while ignoring instances in which journalists were targeted by law enforcement.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Kansas City City Council approved a trio of ordinances on Thursday aimed at vacant properties that become nuisances and staving off demolition of historic buildings.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuisances
Noun
  • Tibbetts says the fires have already created plenty of logistics headaches.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But nightmare headaches and blood pressure spikes from her teenage years came back at age 24.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of headaches
Noun
  • Add in a few other clever accessories, and suddenly the small annoyances of traveling feel a lot more manageable.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Even with its annoyances, Samsung’s smart TV platform is at least packed full of features.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoyances
Noun
  • Keep in mind that rose stems are often armed with sharp prickles, not thorns.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorns
Noun
  • Carney also said that Washington viewed protections for French and Canadian culture — considered fundamental rights in Canada — as irritants to trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For many of us, these little irritants make screen-cleaning an easy chore to remember.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritants
Noun
  • But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • One year before his triumph in the 2026 US Open, Clark missed the cut at the same tournament and took his frustrations out on the Oakmont Country Club locker room, causing enough damage that the famous club outside Pittsburgh banned him for life.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrations
Noun
  • This is adding to the already high toll caused by problems with energy and water supplies, devastated crops, losses in river traffic and trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Some common laser problems can already be corrected automatically.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of problems

Browse Nearby Words

pestled
pests
pesty
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Cite this Entry

“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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