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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pest
Lawmakers belatedly passed a budget a day or so late, piecing it together with a tuition hike, taxes on pest control and burglar alarms, and other changes.
—
Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Importing plants or seeds from overseas can introduce invasive pests and plant diseases that threaten local agriculture and ecosystems.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
Experts explain how to attract frogs and toads, which will provide natural pest control for your yard.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
Importing plants or seeds from overseas can introduce invasive pests and plant diseases that threaten local agriculture and ecosystems.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025
Experts explain how to attract frogs and toads, which will provide natural pest control for your yard.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Now, Georgas is looking for more action to be taken as the issue continues to plague girls' sports in Illinois and hopes the recent Naperville incident will be a turning point.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 May 2025
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The Book of Exodus details the 10 plagues that God inflicted upon the Egyptian pharaoh and his people, including swarms of locusts, an infestation of frogs and an outbreak of boils.—
Dan Barry,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
And these types of messages go beyond being a mere nuisance.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
24 May 2025
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In 2011, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by a group of states (including California) against a number of power companies, claiming that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel generated electricity were a public nuisance under federal law.—
Josiah Neeley,
Oc Register,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Once doctors reviewed the family’s travel history, treatment was quickly shifted to address concerns of histoplasmosis, which the CDC explains can cause cause flu-like symptoms including fever and chills, malaise, cough, headache, chest pain and body aches.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Symptoms include persistent fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, brain fog, shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping, per the Virginia Department of Health.—
Tess DeMeyer,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The Entity’s human helper Gabriel (Esai Morales) becomes more of a thorn in Ethan’s side and our heroes scatter to London, South Africa and the Arctic on a mission that would be rather impossible for anyone not named Tom Cruise.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Roses Landscape roses add no-fuss color and charm to your garden, but the thorns are not especially charming.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Shout-out to back-seat drivers, who are an annoyance 99 percent of the time but lifesavers for that other one percent.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 May 2025
-
Many users aren’t interested in a touch screen for general computing, so the reflection annoyances aren’t worth the trade-off to plenty of shoppers.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Cold compress: Apply a cool, damp washcloth over your closed eyes. Splash your eyes with cold water: Splash gently with cold water to flush out the irritants.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
-
Daily irritants in public space can quickly devolve into signs of a failing city.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Tyler expresses frustration in hearing that from him and not from Brandon and Theresa themselves.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Trump has expressed growing frustration with the rulings.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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