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.
Related Words
Relevance
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
The issue is whether the fact that the EPA, which regulates pesticides and has not required a warning label like that, whether that means that John can or cannot sue in state court.
—
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
No pesticides were detected in 99% of samples.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In fact, this detergent is so good that it got rid of the smell of pesticides, according to another user.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Monsanto argues those claims should have been preempted by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which requires manufacturers to register pesticides with the EPA before selling them, which Monsanto did.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
There are environmental factors as well, including a potential link to microplastics and a potential link to pesticides.
—Eva Flowe
april 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Use ant bait versus ant-killing pesticides.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Although the study shows only an association and does not prove that pesticides caused lung cancer, Nieva recommends that people wash their produce before eating and choose organic foods whenever possible.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and is the strongest choice for sensitive skin or chemical sensitivity; GOTS certification is the most rigorous verification to look for.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
No pesticides were detected in 99% of samples.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In fact, this detergent is so good that it got rid of the smell of pesticides, according to another user.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Monsanto argues those claims should have been preempted by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which requires manufacturers to register pesticides with the EPA before selling them, which Monsanto did.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
There are environmental factors as well, including a potential link to microplastics and a potential link to pesticides.
—Eva Flowe
april 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Use ant bait versus ant-killing pesticides.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Although the study shows only an association and does not prove that pesticides caused lung cancer, Nieva recommends that people wash their produce before eating and choose organic foods whenever possible.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and is the strongest choice for sensitive skin or chemical sensitivity; GOTS certification is the most rigorous verification to look for.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticides
Noun
-
Don’t use poisons, traps, or deterrents that could cause harm.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And nobody from the department asked the legislature to reconsider recent laws that gradually banned the strongest rat poisons.—
Susan Shelley,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Launched in 1996, the 2,100-square-foot rooftop garden grows herbs, fruits, vegetables, and edible blossoms without the use of herbicides or pesticides.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
-
At the center of the case is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, one of the herbicides used most widely by conventional farmers.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Taking them to their natural habitat in Africa isn’t feasible, given their limited gene pool and chance of carrying diseases.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
1 May 2026
-
Inspect regularly for pests and diseases.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Natural products inspired by organisms include GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, spider and snake venoms, and compounds from plants and fungi with potential uses in pain relief and cancer treatment.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Toxins in many animal venoms, for example, are peptides.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Michigan Legislature passed a law in 2008 meant to protect the public from harmful electronic waste toxics.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Environmental advocates say the new regulation of air toxics, which was required under a 2022 bill called Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants, will make the state’s air cleaner and its people healthier.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pesticides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticides. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
