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as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases

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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 pestilent New York scored a big win in its comeback over the pestilent Houston Rockets on Monday. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025 The high densities of brine flies — so dense shorelines can look like they are matted with tar — are an indication of a healthy lake, not a pestilent one. Daniel Rothberg, Vox, 1 Oct. 2024 But the tropical type of milkweed survives cold winters, and so does its pestilent guest. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2015 The former was true in the Pelicans' Game 4 as the eagle-wingspan need small forward Jones' and pestilent 6-foot Alvarado's varied physical traits held him to a playoff career-low four points and caused three turnovers. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022 Island living looks like a privilege when the world is pestilent. New York Times, 31 Oct. 2020 Herbicides also are available to contend with the pestilent plant. cleveland, 30 June 2020 At the time, the miasmatic theory of disease—the idea that illness was caused by foul, pestilent odors—had made its way to Boston from England, and undoubtedly influenced the decision to fill in the pond. Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017 At the time, the miasmatic theory of disease—the idea that illness was caused by foul, pestilent odors—had made its way to Boston from England, and undoubtedly influenced the decision to fill in the pond. Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilent
Adjective
  • Individuals are infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.
    Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Individuals are likely infectious four days prior to and after rash onset.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Increasing one’s protein intake requires an annoying amount of foresight, a willingness to experience short-term displeasure, or both.
    Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This eye-rolling, annual chore is annoying, obviously, but also tied to the functioning of government.
    Made by History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here’s what the bone analysis revealed about the man and how the researchers determined what was behind the lethal bite markings.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
  • After receiving the lethal injection, Osgood's breathing became deep and his head fell back on the gurney at around 6:15 p.m., according to The Associated Press.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.
    Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.
    Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
  • As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The deadly crash happened Thursday afternoon on U.S. 52 at Wyandotte Road in southeastern Tippecanoe County, several miles southeast of the university.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article A woman driver who fatally struck a 57-year-old pedestrian in Brooklyn in January has been arrested— three months after the deadly crash, police said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Timing Gaps: Traditional file transfers typically operate on rigid schedules—often daily or even weekly—creating frustrating delays between participant actions and results.
    Charlie Gautreaux, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • As for Arsenal, the Gunners endured a frustrating domestic campaign despite having made it through to the semifinals of the Champions League, while Manchester City has suffered an unlikely drop in form after winning four straight Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But Palpatine's genius is less about those poisonous whispers than his plot to isolate Anakin from his friends.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Big Bay Boom fireworks create a toxic fog of fine particles, poisonous aerosols and heavy metals that harm air, water and soil — posing serious risks to birds, wildlife, pets and people.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pestilent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilent. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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