as in poisoned
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing
some evil person was leaving out poisonous meat for neighborhood dogs to eat
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Recent Examples of poisonous
In April 2013, Curtis was arrested for allegedly sending threatening letters laced with ricin, a poisonous toxin, to Judge Sadie Holland, Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker and President Obama.
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Emily Blackwood, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
For the Pilgrims, the answer to this question was: how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
If these ranches and farms go, we will be forced to choose inhumane and environmentally poisonous factory farms.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
But left unchecked, fear of failure becomes poisonous.
—Mark Kane, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poisonous 
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
For the Pilgrims, the answer to this question was: how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
If these ranches and farms go, we will be forced to choose inhumane and environmentally poisonous factory farms.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
But left unchecked, fear of failure becomes poisonous.
—Mark Kane, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poisonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poisonous
Adjective
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Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs.National Geographic, National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020
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Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops.National Geographic, National Geographic, 10 Feb. 2020
Adjective
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Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, who took his current job in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations.Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Dec. 2024
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One thoughtful response might turn a toxic detractor into a powerful promoter.Jodie Cook, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Roughly 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes across the U.S. every year—with 8–15 deaths as a result—according to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
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According to wildlife specialist Kayla Jobe, who spoke with KOKI, bull snakes are not venomous and can be helpful to have near (but not in) your home since the reptile eats small rodents.Tabitha Parent, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near poisonous
Cite this Entry
“Poisonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poisonous. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
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