as in poison
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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Recent Examples of pesticide
Larger pests can easily be picked off, while others may require spraying with an organic pesticide labeled for vegetables.
—
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
In the settlement, announced by Paxton on Tuesday, the grocery store parent company, Albertsons Safeway, must stop misting organic produce with synthetic pesticides in all of its Texas grocery stores.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
The justices are deciding whether a federal law regulating pesticides prevents Roundup users from suing Bayer in state court.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Plus, pet owners like myself will appreciate not having to worry about our animals being around pesticides.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
In the settlement, announced by Paxton on Tuesday, the grocery store parent company, Albertsons Safeway, must stop misting organic produce with synthetic pesticides in all of its Texas grocery stores.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
The justices are deciding whether a federal law regulating pesticides prevents Roundup users from suing Bayer in state court.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Plus, pet owners like myself will appreciate not having to worry about our animals being around pesticides.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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However, at the many pufferfish restaurants in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, the poison is safely removed and hungry customers are tucking in.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
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Wasn’t love supposed to be the antidote to a head full of poison, a heart full of doubt?—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Noun
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In the 1970s, Claudia Miller, an allergist and environmental scientist, was studying how toxicants affect people in industrial settings and began noticing strange symptoms emerging after certain kinds of chemical exposures.—
Kate Raphael,
Discover Magazine,
23 June 2025
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Then, using a simulation, the team found that the warmth and weight of the sleeping child could increase the off-gassing of the toxicants.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Permethrin was first synthesized in 1973 and registered as an insecticide by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1979.—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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The secret to the best control is to make the insecticide applications, following label instructions, before flower buds begin to open.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Using Pesticides in the Garden Keeping an immaculate garden usually relies on pesticides and herbicides.—
Lauren David,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
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Baking soda weed killer is a non-selective herbicide.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Over time, however, the disease has spread across the East Coast and Midwest, with diagnoses reaching 35 states.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
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In later life, this formative programming can increase the risk of not only mental illnesses like depression, but physical diseases too, such as cancer and obesity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
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When the first white spot appears, pinch off the infected foliage and begin fungicide applications.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2026
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Growth Stimulant When starting plants from cuttings, cinnamon powder can act as a natural, cost-efficient, and effective way to protect cuttings from disease, because of the spice’s natural fungicide properties.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
Noun
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When picturing a predator, most people envision an animal with immense speed, sharp teeth or deadly venom.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
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Some people have an allergic reaction to the venom.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Manufacturers should be diligently working to clean up their supply chains and manufacturing practices to ensure their products are free of PFAS and other toxics.—
Sarah Todd,
STAT,
1 May 2026
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Taking supporting women’s wrongs—and rights—to new levels, everyone’s favorite toxic on-screen Girl Boss duo are back for a fourth season of Industry: Harper Stern and Yasmin Kara-Hanani.—
Chloe Laws,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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