1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in annoying
causing annoyance
pestilent reporters hounding him night and day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
pestilent diseases such as bubonic plague and smallpox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pestilent
The high densities of brine flies — so dense shorelines can look like they are matted with tar — are an indication of a healthy lake, not a pestilent one.
—
Daniel Rothberg, Vox, 1 Oct. 2024
But the tropical type of milkweed survives cold winters, and so does its pestilent guest.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2015
The former was true in the Pelicans' Game 4 as the eagle-wingspan need small forward Jones' and pestilent 6-foot Alvarado's varied physical traits held him to a playoff career-low four points and caused three turnovers.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022
Island living looks like a privilege when the world is pestilent.
—New York Times, 31 Oct. 2020
Herbicides also are available to contend with the pestilent plant.
—cleveland, 30 June 2020
At the time, the miasmatic theory of disease—the idea that illness was caused by foul, pestilent odors—had made its way to Boston from England, and undoubtedly influenced the decision to fill in the pond.
—Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017
Daniel Rothberg, Vox, 1 Oct. 2024
But the tropical type of milkweed survives cold winters, and so does its pestilent guest.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2015
The former was true in the Pelicans' Game 4 as the eagle-wingspan need small forward Jones' and pestilent 6-foot Alvarado's varied physical traits held him to a playoff career-low four points and caused three turnovers.
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022
Island living looks like a privilege when the world is pestilent.
—New York Times, 31 Oct. 2020
Herbicides also are available to contend with the pestilent plant.
—cleveland, 30 June 2020
At the time, the miasmatic theory of disease—the idea that illness was caused by foul, pestilent odors—had made its way to Boston from England, and undoubtedly influenced the decision to fill in the pond.
—Betsy Mason, National Geographic, 13 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilent
Adjective
-
Her presence is always infectious, and seeing her at New York Fashion Week in 2025 only reinforces the incredible success she’s achieved.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
8 Feb. 2025
-
His impact on the field was undeniable, and his personality off the field was infectious.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
CenturyLink hasn't broken its annoying habit of leaving customers without service for weeks or months and repeatedly failing to show up for repair appointments.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
10 Feb. 2025
-
These evergreen monocultures, originally planted as lumber during the country’s postwar building boom, cause annoying seasonal allergies and dangerous erosion that leads to mudslides.—
Hannah Kirshner,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Richard Tabler shared his final words before he was executed by lethal injection in Texas on Thursday.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Ford, 64, is set to be executed by lethal injection after being on death row for more than two decades for the 1997 murders of Gregory and Kimberly Malnory, who were in their mid-20s.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 July 2024
-
Hospitalizations for strokes related to opioid use and infective endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of the heart’s lining and valves, increased in people under 45 from 2006 through 2015, coinciding with the opioid epidemic’s onset, the authors added.—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
23 May 2024
Adjective
-
Crusty eyes can be unsightly and irritating, but there are ways to manage and treat the debris and keep your eyes clean and healthy.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Try substituting less irritating sodium ascorbate for vitamin C and retinal for retinol or tretinoin.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Another particularly deadly accident occurred in 2021 in Holtville, California, when an SUV transporting 25 migrants collided with a semitruck.—
Marni LaFleur,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
-
In 2023, there was a lone, deadly shark attack in the Bahamas, according to the report.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, the setup process is frustrating compared with the competition, as are the site-building tools.—
Robert Anderson,
PCMAG,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Tied 1-1 midway through the second period against a Finland team frustrating and stifling the Americans, head coach Mike Sullivan swapped Kyle Connor with Brady Tkachuk on a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps even more interestingly, the bark and leaves of the Sambucus nigra are considered poisonous; the berries themselves must be cooked before consuming.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
-
There is poisonous and lame political commentary all around us, and then there’s the work of Joy Reid.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
20 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Pestilent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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