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
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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
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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
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Examples of pest in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond lackluster performances and the persistence of pests, the insecticides harmed other wildlife.
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Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
If the rodent has eaten poison, as is commonly used for pest control, the cat eating it is also at risk and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The worker sent pictures of the bugs to Kwik Trip Internal Operations Support, and a pest control work order was place at 1 a.m. on Oct. 21.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The fruit and leaves must also be inspected at least once daily for pests and disease—no small feat as their surface area balloons.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest 
Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
If the rodent has eaten poison, as is commonly used for pest control, the cat eating it is also at risk and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
The worker sent pictures of the bugs to Kwik Trip Internal Operations Support, and a pest control work order was place at 1 a.m. on Oct. 21.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The fruit and leaves must also be inspected at least once daily for pests and disease—no small feat as their surface area balloons.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest
Noun
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Lee’s storied career in political activism is defined by her working-class background—a former single mother on public assistance with a keen understanding of the issues that plague working-class Black communities, from housing to healthcare.Shamira Ibrahim, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
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Duccio had died years earlier, and Martini died just before the disease hit; both of the Lorenzetti brothers perished in the plague.Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The county contends the plastic pollution traced to products made by the companies constitutes a public nuisance that they must be forced to redress.Nate Raymond, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
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In journalism circles, Mezrich is known as one of the great nuisances of modern nonfiction — a man who has built his career making things up.Simon van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Rather than deal with the environmental headache of working around the rare bee species living on the land, Mark Zuckerberg and company will have to find another place to put its data center.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 5 Nov. 2024
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At first, banks were distracted, handling the headache of working through legacy loan books in the aftermath of the financial crisis.Christian Faes, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In the 16th-18th centuries, vessels filled with nails, thorns, hair, and other materials, were used as a form of ritual protection against witches.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2024
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What have been your roses and thorns from that experience?Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Retzlaff has also taken to social media to share his annoyance about the situation.David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
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Expressing dismay that some of her more exciting stories were cut, her grandchildren weren’t mentioned, and the allure of her magazines wasn’t touched upon, Stewart expressed her annoyance that her prison sentence got so much attention.Chloe Berger, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Avoid using harsh products on your face and lips, including fragrances and other irritants.Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024
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All wounds heal faster in clean, moist environments, and this thick occlusive (the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor) will not only lock in hydration, but also protect the open wound from potential irritants like sweat and bacteria.Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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People were waiting for roughly an hour and a half, and parking was extremely limited; this created a sense of repressed frustration in the air.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
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Regardless of the election’s outcome, many people, including some in your workforce, might be feeling anger, fear, disappointment or frustration.Nathan Christensen, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
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