as in diseases
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
poisoning the minds of impressionable children with ethnic hatred
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pollutes
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
exhaust fumes poisoning the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in corrupts
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
this party partisanship poisons the national debate we should be having about this urgent problem
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in turns
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poisons
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
The French had long prohibited the use of poisons as unfamiliar plants or concoctions were often understood to be at the time, and traditional healing practices were likewise restricted or banned.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
This toxin slowly poisons nerves.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Inside this deep-sea chemistry lab, the two poisons lock together into solid orpiment (As₂S₃) crystals, transforming them from lethal threats into inert, glittering deposits.
—New Atlas, 16 Nov. 2025
Perhaps because tomato juice is nutritious, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and the spiciness can induce a sweat, which, as people like to believe, rids the body of poisons.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Most died from manmade poisons.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
In that timespan, prosecutors say Craig researched poisons and then bought arsenic, cyanide and other deadly substances and used them to kill his wife, Angela Craig.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
It is built for gas exchange, not for filtering poisons.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisons
Noun
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If your plants were plagued by pests or diseases during the growing season, leaving diseased plant debris in your garden allows problems to overwinter and reinfect your plants in spring.—
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When making cuts, prune at a 45-degree angle to help water run off and prevent diseases.—
Verb
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The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Verb
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For example, forum participants said a person could sue a company or entity that pollutes a river because the river has the right to be pollution-free.—
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But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Verb
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Instead of a warning event, Expeditions imagines the historical fall that corrupts the Earth.—
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Rather than simply attacking YoungBoy, Choppa frames himself as a corrective force, casting YoungBoy as someone who corrupts impressionable listeners.—
Verb
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Due to Brigham’s indefinite incarceration and inability to earn an income, Taylor is seeking a lump-sum child support payment from his estate to satisfy his monthly obligation until the child graduates from high school or turns 18.—
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After finishing the letter, Anna shares a look with her mother that eventually turns into a smile.—
Noun
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The Michigan Legislature passed a law in 2008 meant to protect the public from harmful electronic waste toxics.—
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Environmental advocates say the new regulation of air toxics, which was required under a 2022 bill called Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants, will make the state’s air cleaner and its people healthier.—
Verb
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Conveniently located close to iconic sights, the downtown hotel spoils with a rooftop pool, buzzy restaurant, and bar in a sensory-rich, art-laden setting.—
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Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.—
Verb
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These cards may contain batteries or nonrecyclable material that contaminates other paper.—
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Untreated nitrogen often contaminates groundwater and causes algal blooms that damage ecosystems.—
Cite this Entry
“Poisons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisons. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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