1
as in plagues
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nuisances
one who is obnoxiously annoying stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists
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 pests Researchers have spent decades developing potatoes for chip makers that can grow in all kinds of climates, avoid diseases and pests, sit in storage for months and still deliver a satisfying crunch. —
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are usually hit hard by pests, including slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 And, other, more obscure, pests will likely eat at the leaf margins from the outside in. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026 When drought, pests, or forest fires strike, entire monoculture plantations can fail at once. —John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 According to the university, the USDA funding supports 4-H, a social and educational youth program; training to help farmers manage pests; and research to ensure the sustainability of Maine’s lobster industry, among other programs. —Reuters, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Tough, undemanding, and rarely bothered by pests, a cheery patch of daffodils can last for generations. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are usually hit hard by pests, including slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 And, other, more obscure, pests will likely eat at the leaf margins from the outside in. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026 When drought, pests, or forest fires strike, entire monoculture plantations can fail at once. —John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 According to the university, the USDA funding supports 4-H, a social and educational youth program; training to help farmers manage pests; and research to ensure the sustainability of Maine’s lobster industry, among other programs. —Reuters, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Tough, undemanding, and rarely bothered by pests, a cheery patch of daffodils can last for generations. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests
Noun
-
Another kind of typhus, carried by lice and caused by the bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii, produced historic plagues that devastated populations during times of war, famine and poverty, the National Institutes for Health said.— Don Sweeney April 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
-
Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If data centers eventually are included, for example, neighbors could take a hit due to impacts on electricity costs, water access, industrial noise and other nuisances that can come into play when a megaproject moves in next door.— David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
-
Not all ants are bad for the garden—some help with soil health and pest control—but fire ants and carpenter ants can be serious nuisances or hazards.— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Plan ahead as much as possible Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money.— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026
-
The birds, federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, have become yearly headaches for neighborhoods around the Metroplex as the birds flock to residential areas to nest.— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To be sure, there can be annoyances.— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
-
In order to make sure horses keep their cool among loud, unpredictable crowds, officers do desensitization training with speakers, sirens, inflatable tube men, kazoos, fireworks, flags and all manner of annoyances.— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026
-
Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.— Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
-
Many older people suffer from symptoms that resemble pollen allergies—runny nose and congestion—but the majority of these seniors are actually bothered by other airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes or cleaning products.— Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The power struggle came about after Rivas challenged Rendon, capitalizing on Democrats’ frustrations over changes in committee leadership and Rendon’s shelving of a single-payer health care bill.— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
-
The vision conceived by museum director and Chief Executive Michael Govan and architect Peter Zumthor is not perfect, and brings with it a modest set of frustrations, but as a whole, the installation registers as ravishing and bracingly fresh.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The post attracted a fair amount of backlash, with people pointing out the problems associated with data centers and intellectual property, and accusing Witherspoon of being paid by AI companies to promote generative tools.— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
-
As the case heads before the state's highest court, residents are asking whether people exposed during the fire can receive medical monitoring designed to catch potential health problems early.— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
