PATHOGENIC Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

pathogenic

adjective

Definition of pathogenic

as in infective

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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 pathogenic On June 20 the strain of highly pathogenic bird flu that has killed wild birds and marine mammals on every other continent was confirmed in Australia for the first time. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 The maggots are thought to secrete various antibacterial compounds to ward off pathogenic bacteria and block biofilms from forming, overall preventing secondary infection. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026 Federal law allows the interstate sale of unpasteurized cheese as long as it’s aged for at least 60 days, though this doesn’t fully eliminate the risk — or account for a farm using pathogenic milk to make it. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Wastewater monitoring sites can sense levels of disease in a community by detecting pieces of viral or other pathogenic DNA shed through feces, urine or other bodily fluids into municipal wastewater systems. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathogenic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathogenic

Adjective

The team confirmed that those eggs developed into infective third-stage larvae.

— Jay Kakade August 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026
His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.

— Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Definition of infective

Adjective

The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of infectious

Adjective

Prosecutors argued at trial that Shirilla intentionally drove into the building to end her toxic relationship with Russo and that Flanagan was an unintended victim who happened to be in the car.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
For bouquets, Wahlen recommends choosing one type of flower that has already been identified as non-toxic rather than an arrangement filled with unfamiliar stems and greenery, where a dangerous flower may be tucked among otherwise safe blooms.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

Some doctors employed wildly improbable cures when treating these pestilential tumors.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Here a book worth considering is ‘From third world to first’ - Lee Kwan Yew's first person story of transforming Singapore from a pestilential swamp into a metropolis.

— Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Definition of pestilential

Adjective

But fasted training isn’t necessarily harmful to muscle gain, Maroldi adds.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
What’s considered harmful to minors can be subjective, and this is where experts believe laws requiring age verification can run afoul of the First Amendment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

But the point was just that Nick’s character is emulating Sheridan’s poisonous corrupted values, and the internet is a vehicle for that relationship.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
For this reason, these poisonous mushrooms are more commonly confused with other types of edible mushrooms like chicken of the woods and chanterelles (more on these in a minute).

— Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

The isotopes that make up radiopharmaceuticals are just as virulent as the beam radiation patients have begrudgingly tolerated for decades.

— Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026
The feminist progress of the past half century has been met with a virulent backlash of misogyny.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of virulent

Adjective

In late 2023, Isabella was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma—a common malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum, a part of the brain located at the base of the skull.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
Busy Philipps underwent two invasive surgeries this spring related to a malignant tumor in her brain.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of malignant

Browse Nearby Words

pathogenetic

pathogenic

pathographies

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“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathogenic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pathogenic

adjective

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