pesticides

noun

plural of pesticide
as in poisons
a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops The family farm has gradually moved away from the use of pesticides.

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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 pesticides Environmental groups point out that PFAS are being used more often in agriculture, including in broad-spectrum pesticides like bifenthrin. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 Many modern pesticides are non-toxic and formulated with plant oils such as lemongrass, cinnamon, and garlic. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 Unless grown organically, those plants may be exposed to pesticides. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Control Apple maggot flies are closely monitored in susceptible regions, and small outbreaks can sometimes be managed without conventional pesticides. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 The regulatory system designed to protect farmworkers from pesticides is enforced haphazardly across California. — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Organic eggs come from hens fed organic feed instead of conventional feed that may contain grains treated with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers—or GMO grains, says Lisa Steele, fifth-generation chicken keeper. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
  1. poisons
  2. insecticides
  3. herbicides
  4. diseases
  5. venoms
  6. toxics
Noun
  • Dimitri Capuani’s production design is an essential, telling element of the film, from the pill bottles on top of the fridge to the rows of poisons in the pantry that Highsmith knows Edward will spot.
    — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of poisons
Noun
  • Use Insecticides Control chiggers with insecticides like diatomaceous earth (DE), which is a natural insecticide that causes insects to dry out and die.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026
Definition of insecticides
Noun
  • In those areas, IDOT mows less often, applies targeted herbicides to invasive plants, and in some instances sows milkweed seed and other native plants.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Pesticides and herbicides come under scrutiny In one of Ladera’s parks this month Brody’s father watched as volunteer researchers fanned out across the grass with shovels and latex gloves.
    — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of herbicides
Noun
  • Looking through his microscope, Kubelka counted cells as part of a study of neuromuscular diseases.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Currently, Florida requires kids to get vaccinated against various diseases.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • The examples include possible gain-of-function research and involve both infectious diseases, such as bird flu, and novel venoms and toxins.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Some venoms paralyze respiratory muscles, while others destroy tissue, disrupt blood clotting, damage kidneys, or trigger cardiovascular collapse.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of venoms
Noun
  • In late May, about 50,000 people in Orange County were evacuated because, at a Garden Grove site operated by GKN Aerospace, tanks holding a volatile hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate were at risk of exploding or leaking toxics.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Munoz is an independent toxicologist working in collaboration with MAHA against pesticides and toxics.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of toxics

Browse Nearby Words

pesticide
pesticides
pestiferous
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Cite this Entry

“Pesticides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticides. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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