as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc
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Recent Examples of pestilence
Sometimes, what happens at the border — contraband, counterfeit items, illicit drugs, agricultural pestilence and non-native plant species — stays at the border.
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Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Israel has no choice but to go to this area to get rid of the pestilence and hopefully rescue the innocent hostages.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2024
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Email marketing has become an inescapable pestilence, causing anxiety as consumers try to discern which emails are legitimate and which may be phishing attempts.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence 
Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Israel has no choice but to go to this area to get rid of the pestilence and hopefully rescue the innocent hostages.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2024
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Email marketing has become an inescapable pestilence, causing anxiety as consumers try to discern which emails are legitimate and which may be phishing attempts.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence
Articles Related to pestilence
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Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilence. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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