pests

plural of pest
1
as in plagues
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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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pests After cleaning a houseplant with a banana peel, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the residue off the leaves, which can leave them looking dull and can attract fruit flies and other pests. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2024 To control these pests that eat holes in the kale leaves, prevent them from getting to the plants by placing row covers over them in late spring and early summer. Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2024 Keep pests in check and beautify the winter landscape with selective fall pruning. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024 Taking time to selectively prune perennials in fall not only helps manage pests, but also frees up time during the busy spring season. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024 In making crops more genetically resistant to pests, fewer pesticides are required to cultivate the crops. Devika Rao, theweek, 1 Oct. 2024 Those will take the place of 15 non-native trees that are struggling partly due to pests and disease, per Peck. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024 Pipes going in and out of the house can lead to gaps, causing drafts and serving as a highway for pests. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024 Some were cut down; others died from disease and pests. Jennifer McDermott and Alexa St. John, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
  • Illness begins suddenly and symptoms include high fever, muscle pains, bleeding, severe headaches, diarrhea and vomiting blood.
    Robert Hart, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Officials say that people who have been exposed to infected animals should look out for eye redness (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever in the 10 days after exposure.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Parking apps did away with these annoyances.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024
  • As a result, jealousies, annoyances and fears may arise.
    Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Avoid using harsh products on your face and lips, including fragrances and other irritants.
    Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024
  • The botanical extracts in this 100% natural-origin formula help both maintain skin’s natural lipid barrier with polysaccharides as well as defend against irritants thanks to extracts from plants native to harsh climates.
    Katie Becker, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Burkina Faso’s 2022 coups came amid frustrations over the authorities’ inability to quash recurring jihadist violence, despite intensive French military assistance, which has claimed thousands of lives for almost a decade.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
  • For many people, that shot solidified the Joker as a concept who spoke to their own frustrations with the very same kind of systems that failed Arthur.
    Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pests

Cite this Entry

“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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