as in poisonous
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing
certain plants are toxic if eaten
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
tested for toxics in the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 toxic
Armond White, National Review, 29 Jan. 2025
His administration rolled back more than 100 environmental rules, including those meant to curb toxic air pollutants, limit pesticide exposure, and protect streams from coal mining debris — problems caused largely by big companies.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Humans are filling the world's atmosphere with greenhouse gases, tainting its aquifer and surface water with deadly pollutants, eroding its soils, and allowing damaging toxics to build up in human bodies.
—Frances Beinecke, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012
See all Example Sentences for toxic 
Adjective
Gascón’s biologically male Emilia remains a toxic nonbinary whatzit even after surgery — ruthlessly forcing everyone into criminality, deception, and ethical compromises.
—Armond White, National Review, 29 Jan. 2025
His administration rolled back more than 100 environmental rules, including those meant to curb toxic air pollutants, limit pesticide exposure, and protect streams from coal mining debris — problems caused largely by big companies.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
But scientists and environmentalists note forever chemicals and other toxics can persist in the fluid.
—Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
Humans are filling the world's atmosphere with greenhouse gases, tainting its aquifer and surface water with deadly pollutants, eroding its soils, and allowing damaging toxics to build up in human bodies.
—Frances Beinecke, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012
See all Example Sentences for toxic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxic
Adjective
-
Seven-percent mortgages have been poisonous to homebuilders, and Horton was down 26% in the fourth quarter – in a rising market, at that.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Social platforms are poised to become even more poisonous to their own users as a handful of outrageously rich and powerful men grapple with their own insecurities around masculinity and free speech.—
Megan Farokhmanesh,
WIRED,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The drama creeps in gradually, like a gray poison slowly infecting the air.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Poachers using poison will often wait days between checking their lines to increase the chances that a high-value animal will come by.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Primary care physicians and urologists—specialists in urinary tract health and diseases affecting the reproductive system—typically conduct an evaluation and make a diagnosis.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The cobra, once a symbol of nature’s awe-inspiring grandeur, became a casualty of war, its life ended not by natural predators or disease, but by humanity’s conflict.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
What Is Lead Poisoning? Lead poisoning happens when a person has been exposed to the toxin and develops a buildup in their body.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
-
After all, consuming none of a toxin is always going to be better than consuming some.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near toxic
Cite this Entry
“Toxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxic. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share