as in poisons
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of toxins
Stewart has also become a huge advocate for New Yorkers who were exposed to deadly toxins during the 9/11 attacks, and even spoke before Congress in 2019 to urge the passing of a bill that would provide aid to victims.
—
Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Natural lacquers are free of toxins, and a special buffing method is used to color and shine nails without harming the hands and feet.
—Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Illnesses caused by these toxins have killed more first responders in the years since the attacks than on that fateful day.
—Andrew Garbarino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The main road is one lane, and the level of toxins that surround my little hamlet of standing houses is very worrisome.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Compared to other toxins in the environment like plasticizers and pesticides, outdoor air pollution is the most harmful type based on current evidence causing millions of deaths per year.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Curcumin's antioxidant properties may also protect the lungs from damage caused by long-term exposure to toxins.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
According to the Vermont Department of Health, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae that grow in freshwater, can release toxins into the water that create unsafe swimming conditions.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Rising temperatures increase the frequency of harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins that affect wildlife and human health.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Natural lacquers are free of toxins, and a special buffing method is used to color and shine nails without harming the hands and feet.
—Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Illnesses caused by these toxins have killed more first responders in the years since the attacks than on that fateful day.
—Andrew Garbarino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The main road is one lane, and the level of toxins that surround my little hamlet of standing houses is very worrisome.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Compared to other toxins in the environment like plasticizers and pesticides, outdoor air pollution is the most harmful type based on current evidence causing millions of deaths per year.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Curcumin's antioxidant properties may also protect the lungs from damage caused by long-term exposure to toxins.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025
According to the Vermont Department of Health, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae that grow in freshwater, can release toxins into the water that create unsafe swimming conditions.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Rising temperatures increase the frequency of harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins that affect wildlife and human health.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxins
Noun
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Canadian wildfires prematurely kill Americans and vice versa; slash and burn farming in rural Cambodia poisons Phnom Penhers.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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While standard rat poisons accumulate in the animal’s body, the active ingredient in the Good Works contraceptive is rapidly metabolized in the rat’s liver.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Parents will be especially alarmed and this will place terrible burdens on pediatricians who will need to assuage their worries in order to provide important protections against serious and sometimes fatal diseases.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Nurabot is currently being piloted in Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, on a ward that treats diseases associated with the lungs, face and neck, including lung cancer and asthma.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Neely Lab is interested in applying the technology to gene editing, having previously used CRISPR to understand the mechanisms behind how venoms cause cell death and pain, and how proteins bind to cells, including the crucial spike protein in SARS-CoV-2.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toxins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxins. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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