as in poisonous
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing
certain plants are toxic if eaten
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
tested for toxics in the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 toxic
New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Today, those resorts are long gone, replaced by a drying and increasingly toxic landscape.
—Jill Johnston, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 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
The project addressed decades of contamination and structural deterioration while preserving the hangar's historical appearance, removing toxic materials, remediating the steel frame, and installing new siding, windows, and doors.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Today, those resorts are long gone, replaced by a drying and increasingly toxic landscape.
—Jill Johnston, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 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
-
When Floyd is found dead at a community pool, surrounded by a poisonous cocktail and a vintage Playgirl magazine, two detectives (Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday) begin unraveling the bizarre chain of events that led to his death.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Although only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are actually fatal when ingested, many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species and are thus especially dangerous.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Harold Allen obituary/Ashley Jones Facebook Investigators say those thousands of texts revealed Marsha and Ashley tried to kill Harold over and over again with a variety of exotic poisons.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Italian authorities have opened a double murder investigation following the deaths of a mother and her teenage daughter following a Christmas Eve meal last year, after prosecutors said preliminary blood tests showed the pair had the poison ricin in their systems.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eventually an eye infection took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with an autoimmune disease.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists were searching for a new breed of pear tree resistant to a nasty fungus called fire blight, a disease that can decimate crops.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Peak said mold illness, which includes chronic conditions related to the toxins and bacterium found in mold, is more widespread than mold poisoning, where people might experience severe reactions like blindness.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Low on the food chain, sardines don't accumulate mercury and other toxins to the extent that tuna may.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxic. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
