as in poisonous
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing
certain plants are toxic if eaten
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as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
tested for toxics in the water supply
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Recent Examples of toxic
CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
These toxic elements sat in the channel’s then-stagnant water, which led to a die-off of all vegetation and the emission of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2023, 20 steel mills and coke plants nationwide emitted nearly 2.4 million pounds of air toxics, 289,722 tons of criteria air pollutants and 43.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, according to the study.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toxic
Adjective
People can have stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting within 24 hours after ingesting a toxic mushroom and the situation can quickly deteriorate after that, experts say.
—CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
These toxic elements sat in the channel’s then-stagnant water, which led to a die-off of all vegetation and the emission of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
In 2023, 20 steel mills and coke plants nationwide emitted nearly 2.4 million pounds of air toxics, 289,722 tons of criteria air pollutants and 43.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, according to the study.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toxic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxic
Adjective
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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas that at high levels can cause loss of consciousness and death.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Kirk recognized that this crude conspiracism was poisonous to his project of popularizing the conservative cause.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When they were blasted by the poison from ICE agents on the roof, my nieces—two strong women in their thirties—were carrying flowers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
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For instance, it's sometimes used to bind to certain poisons before your body absorbs them.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding had been allocated to disease control programs in all four states, though California Atty.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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The disease begins with the formation of benign polyps in the body's large intestine, also known as the colon.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
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The intelligence bulletin also highlights recent incidents showing the threat posed by the domestic use of chemical and biological toxins.—
Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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