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
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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
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Recent Examples of pest
Topping also stresses the tree to the max, making if more vulnerable to other issues like drought or insect pests.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
To keep these pests from ever getting into your home in the first place and creating a potential infestation, turn to some DIY deterrents.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Summers can be stressful, not only because of the heat but mosquitos and other pests, too.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025
People may have also welcomed ‘wild cats’ on their farms for pest control, while leopard cats are reflected in ancient Chinese art depicting felines with round spots.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Crucially, the eggs were fittingly fluffy, none of that rubbery nonsense that plague lesser burrito slingers.—
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Now the government is out to quash this plague of poor decision making.—
Noun
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An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
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According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
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Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Noun
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Congress used to debate authorizing such things, but with the GOP House and Senate now reduced to glorified White House staff offices, Trump need not trifle with such annoyances.—
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At the time, liberalism’s leading intellectuals laughed off public annoyance at Obama’s lackluster performance, declaring that to expect big things from him was to believe—childishly, contemptibly—that the president was a kind of superhero.—
Noun
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Make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from rose thorns.—
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Season 1 detailed how Robby—a crinkle-eyed stalwart whose stethoscope seems made of thorns—was still suffering from PTSD from his experiences working during the coronavirus pandemic, while a violent attack from a patient made the otherwise flinty Dana reconsider whether her job was still bearable.—
Noun
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Another standout feature is its CertiPur-US and Greenguard Gold certifications, which mean it’s made without harmful materials and won’t release irritants that can trigger allergies.—
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Nearby, other agents fire chemical irritants into the ground to keep bystanders away, appearing to cause some people to cough, the video shows.—
Noun
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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