1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in annoying
causing annoyance
pestilent reporters hounding him night and day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
pestilent diseases such as bubonic plague and smallpox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pestilent
But there were plenty of living famouses who were positively pestilent with Knicks fever.
—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Long dismissed as pestilent rodents, beavers are now coming to be understood as autonomous biosphere managers that may be indispensable in the fight against the effects of climate chaos.
—
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2025
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.
—
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
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
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
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
Long dismissed as pestilent rodents, beavers are now coming to be understood as autonomous biosphere managers that may be indispensable in the fight against the effects of climate chaos.
—
New Atlas,
28 Dec. 2025
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.
—
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilent
Adjective
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The atmosphere is infectious, attracting a discerning international crowd, yacht enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and travelers who are seeking a blend of luxury and authenticity.
-
Vibrant animation, infectious energy, and a killer soundtrack make this a future cult favorite.
Adjective
-
This is a realm of exposition-heavy opening credits, relentlessly earwormy theme tunes, and heroes who, for no obvious reason, choose to hang out with cute/annoying [delete as appropriate] comedy sidekicks like Orko and Snarf.
-
This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain.
Adjective
-
The weather service also warns not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
-
At worst, the consequences can be lethal for mothers or babies.
Adjective
-
Few workplace behaviors are as small, common and irritating as the message that goes unanswered.
-
Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Adjective
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When the Guadalupe River surged through Texas Hill Country last summer, Elida Sierra Lutz and her three children were swept into the deadly flooding like debris in the current.
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Written and directed by YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film, made for $750,000, tells a twisted tale of love with deadly consequences.
Adjective
-
Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season.
-
Residents said the latest delay is especially frustrating because the pool also remained closed for much of last summer after a water line ruptured while it was being filled.
Adjective
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All of this played out against an increasingly poisonous political environment.
-
Sago palm, oleander, foxglove, azaleas and lily of the valley are all common and all poisonous.
Adjective
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There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
-
The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Cite this Entry
“Pestilent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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