as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 toxin In April, the Trump administration gave 68 plants — including the NRG plant in the Rice study — a two-year exemption from complying with federal regulations intended to lower mercury emissions, a powerful toxin that can affect the brain. Samantha M. Wender, CBS News, 3 June 2025 The kitchen uses plastic sparingly, there are 10 compost stations—with 15 more on the way—and all vegetables are grown organically with no weed killers or toxins. Matthew Monagan, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025 But Whelton says after destructive fires, there are often lingering toxins from exploded propane tanks or burned cars and high levels of lead from home exteriors after the debris is removed. Kirk Siegler, NPR, 2 June 2025 Each fruit contains one or two large seeds filled with concentrated toxins that, when consumed, attack the heart. Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for toxin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxin
Noun
  • The poison could possibly enter another cut in your mouth or be swallowed.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2025
  • However, when attempts to purge the poison are unsuccessful and time passes without treatment, the heart begins to fail.
    Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • While the researchers behind this breakthrough may consider their product non toxic, its worth noting that the people who discovered the forever chemicals thought the same thing.
    Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • The more stringent standards effectively limit emissions of other toxics, including benzene, lead and arsenic.
    Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Fusarium head blight, or FHB, is a devastating disease for staple crops like wheat, barley, maize and rice.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
  • By eliminating the need to recruit separate control groups, ECAs can allow studies to progress more quickly, bringing innovative treatments to patients faster, especially in diseases with no existing options.
    Sujay Jadhav, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • They are mangled, bottled spiders of venom with humor and cutting, biting Irish lyricism.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 June 2025
  • Although the snakes prefer to hide or scare away humans, people who get too close may suffer a painful bite carrying venom that can damage muscle tissue and skin.
    Max Levy, Denver Post, 31 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxin. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on toxin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!