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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pesticide
There are no pesticides here; ash strewn around the bottom of trees kills bacteria.
—
Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
Unfortunately, this status symbol spread to America and has been preserved by manufacturers of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other lawn products.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Now, keep in mind that fish are very sensitive to both natural and synthetic pesticides, so don't spray anywhere near the water.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Its cause isn’t fully understood, but factors including genetics as well as advanced parental age, prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides, and other environmental influences are thought to play a role.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2025
Unfortunately, this status symbol spread to America and has been preserved by manufacturers of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other lawn products.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Now, keep in mind that fish are very sensitive to both natural and synthetic pesticides, so don't spray anywhere near the water.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Its cause isn’t fully understood, but factors including genetics as well as advanced parental age, prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides, and other environmental influences are thought to play a role.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pesticide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesticide
Noun
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All about the poison There was a lot that needed to be tied up in that final episode of the HBO series about tourists at various exotic resorts.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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In addition, these same poisons can damage a cell’s DNA which can allow that cell to grow out of control and cause cancer.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Nonetheless, the researchers also acknowledged that realizing such goals will be complex, as U.S. regulators typically consider risks associated with individual toxicants, rather than the complex mixtures that exist in wastewater.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The chief causes of the decline include habitat destruction, drier and hotter climate because of climate change and insecticide use.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
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Control Asian psyllids; apply an insecticide labeled for citrus at each flush of growth.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Has Gotten More Eco-Friendly Turf eliminates the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, allowing fewer harmful chemicals in the environment.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2025
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What about all the pesticides and herbicides and hormones and antibiotics and bioengineering in conventional foods?—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, in the U.S., the CDC has concluded there is no evidence that pesticides are effective in preventing these diseases and does not recommend this practice.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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The Harmattan facilitates the spread of diseases, such as influenza.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Subsequent research found that the fungicide Azoxystrobin gave good results in killing the fungus, not just suppressing it.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Apr. 2025
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Then install the new sod and apply a turf fungicide.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Chung also used a powerful MRI scanner to produce images of the octopuses’ brains and internal organs, discovering that the males had larger venom glands than females despite their smaller size.—
Jack Guy,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
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To take one example, biologists studying the venom of a Gila monster found a hormone that is the basis of the new generation of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.—
Simon Montlake,
The Christian Science Monitor,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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What these arguments fail to understand is that DEI protections were put in place for certain groups because of historically discriminatory hiring practices and to course-correct toxic, racist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist workplaces.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pesticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesticide. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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