as in poison
a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops
The family farm has gradually moved away from the use of pesticides.
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Recent Examples of pesticide
In 2013, at least 23 children were killed by a free school lunch contaminated with concentrated pesticide.
—
Peter Guo, NBC news, 2 May 2025
This lack of detailed measurements meant that future changes due to climate variability and glacial melt were not factored into the treaty’s design, nor were factors such as groundwater depletion, water pollution from pesticides, fertilizer use and industrial waste.
—Fazlul Haq, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2025
Fifty-five years ago, the first Earth Day started as a grassroots, activist effort to raise awareness about air pollution, toxic drinking water and the effects of pesticides.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The species was on the endangered list for nearly four decades – from 1970 to 2009 – because of exposure to the pesticide DDT, and they’re still protected.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Peter Guo, NBC news, 2 May 2025
This lack of detailed measurements meant that future changes due to climate variability and glacial melt were not factored into the treaty’s design, nor were factors such as groundwater depletion, water pollution from pesticides, fertilizer use and industrial waste.
—Fazlul Haq, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2025
Fifty-five years ago, the first Earth Day started as a grassroots, activist effort to raise awareness about air pollution, toxic drinking water and the effects of pesticides.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The species was on the endangered list for nearly four decades – from 1970 to 2009 – because of exposure to the pesticide DDT, and they’re still protected.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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Quint advocated for natural solutions to rodent abatement such as mint balls and peppermint oils instead of rat poison.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
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Dolphins also suffer from the effects of the poison but tend to get stranded on the beaches and almost always die.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Then, using a simulation, the team found that the warmth and weight of the sleeping child could increase the off-gassing of the toxicants.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
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Chemical components of pesticides were found in four of the products — inhaling certain pesticides through marijuana smoking poses a risk of harmful toxicants entering the lungs and bloodstream.—
Ben Markus - Colorado Public Radio,
NPR,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Unsafe levels of pesticides or insecticides like chlorfenapyr were detected in a recent Los Angeles Times investigation last published last December.—
Benjamin Adams,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Hubbard said the sanctuary doesn’t spray pesticides or insecticides and just finished a three-year native pollinator program.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Agricultural landscapes also tend to have high levels of chemical pollution – especially insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers.—
Christopher Halsch,
The Conversation,
8 May 2025
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In a typical spring, apply the herbicide in early to mid-April.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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An Ohio music conductor is using deep brain stimulation to combat his Parkinson’s disease.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
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If needed, a fungicide for foliage plants could be applied but does not appear necessary with your plants.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
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Controlling invasive species using pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides can be effective but can also be expensive and ultimately end up harming an environment's health, warned the USDA.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
13 May 2024
Noun
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The animal’s blood is drawn and purified to obtain antibodies that act against the venom.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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This process helped the research team assemble a cocktail that had the minimum number of components that were still sufficient enough to render the venom.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The toxics killed fish and wildlife, closed beaches, and endangered environmentally sensitive areas.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
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In Colorado, the process to choose the five priority air toxics included consulting with multiple stakeholders.—
Jenni Shearston,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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