insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd How to pronounce insecticide (audio)
plural insecticides
Synonyms of insecticidenext
: an agent that destroys one or more species of insects
broadly : an agent that destroys insects as well as other small pests (such as mites or nematodes)
Aphids, mealybugs, and cyclamen mites are all common problems and can be controlled with any low-toxicity insecticide sold specifically for houseplants. —Horticulture

Examples of insecticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In Malabo, Bioko’s biggest city, a team of men and women equipped with insecticide sprayers squeezed between low-rise cement buildings on a recent morning, as heavy rain drummed on aluminum roofs. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 In commercial orchards apple maggots are commonly controlled with insecticides targeting adult flies. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 Before releasing the ferrets, scientists dust prairie dog burrows with insecticide and scatter food pellets laced with fipronil, the same chemical used in flea control among pets. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026 How To Get Rid Of Lovebugs You don’t need insecticides to deal with lovebugs. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insecticide

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insecticide was in 1865

Rhymes for insecticide

See All Rhymes for insecticide

Browse Nearby Words

insecticidal
insecticide
insecticolous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

insecticide

noun
in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd How to pronounce insecticide (audio)
: a chemical used to kill insects
insecticidal
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

insecticide

noun
in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd How to pronounce insecticide (audio)
: an agent that destroys insects
insecticidal
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce insecticide (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on insecticide

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for insecticide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about insecticide

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