toxic 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce toxic (audio)
Definition of toxicnext
as in poisonous
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing certain plants are toxic if eaten

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

toxic

2 of 2

noun

as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing tested for toxics in the water supply

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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 toxic
Adjective
Over the four episodes, viewers get a firsthand look at what can happen when a teenager is indoctrinated with toxic messages about masculinity. — Samantha Mann, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025 However, many selective herbicides are toxic birds, bees, and other insects or animals that consume or contact them. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
According to Apolo, theobromine, an alkaloid in the cacao beans used to make chocolate, makes chocolate toxic to canines. — Kelli Bender, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Many are similar to existing antibiotics or toxic to humans. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for toxic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxic
  1. poisonous
  2. poison
  3. disease
  4. toxin
Adjective
  • Though gorgeous with color, azaleas are poisonous to animals and humans when ingested.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Every part of the pong pong tree is poisonous, but the leaves and barks aren’t as potent as the seeds.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of poisonous
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of poison
Noun
  • 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
  • The Harmattan facilitates the spread of diseases, such as influenza.
    — Christophe Lavaysse, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of disease
Noun
  • The ordinance would be the next step after the 2023 release of a cumulative impact assessment that analyzed how exposure to toxins, socioeconomic factors and health conditions vary throughout Chicago.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
  • It’s estimated that over 400,000 people were affected by the toxins swirling over Ground Zero.
    — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of toxin

Browse Nearby Words

tows
toxic
toxicant
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Cite this Entry

“Toxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxic. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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