PESTS Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

pests

noun

plural of pest

as in plagues

a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in nuisances

one who is obnoxiously annoying stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in headaches

something that is a source of irritation a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists

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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 pests As temperatures drop in the fall, aphids, like other garden pests, are less active, but don’t be fooled by appearances. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026 For properties other than single-family homes and duplexes, the statute addresses reasonable provisions for clean and safe common areas along with services such as garbage removal and extermination of certain pests. — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Although generally hardy, the plant is susceptible to certain diseases, including anthracnose and bacterial soft rot, as well as pests such as spider mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 These beneficial predators spend the winter under leaves, emerging in spring to feed on common garden pests such as aphids, slugs and mites. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Pillows were kept — and since removed — from room 3506 where the pests were most-recently found. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Bats are invaluable in agriculture, gorging on pests that target crops — corn earworms, brown stink bugs, cucumber beetles and more. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Attics are poor storage spaces due to temperature fluctuations, poor ventilation, and pests. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pests

Noun

Pneumonic plague is one of three types of plagues that are caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Most people go to campgrounds to escape the plagues of modern technology, so try to keep the decibels to a minimum.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of plagues

Noun

But coyotes, with their abundant numbers and reputation as nuisances, are not.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Take some time to seal gaps in window and door frames with weatherproof caulk to prevent fall stink bug problems, along with roaches, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, and other nuisances.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of nuisances

Noun

In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Neurological symptoms, like persistent headaches, may also warrant seeing a doctor.

— Angelica Stabile , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of headaches

Noun

The third season sees Ranma and fiancée Akane have to deal with old annoyances, new dangers, and even more shenanigans.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
People are exhausted by subscriptions, signing up for apps, logins, passwords, and other first-world annoyances that are now common in the search to watch a game on TV.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of annoyances

Noun

Cue an enthralling chase sequence, doubling back through those higgledy-piggledy Portland streetscapes, toward the woods — the impenetrable thickets and thorns of which magically part in her presence.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorns

Noun

Nodules can be caused by a variety of factors including scar tissue, lung irritants, inflammatory conditions, current or past infections, or cancer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Their wavelike motion helps move around germs, mucus, dust, and other irritants so the body can dispel them via coughing or sneezing.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritants

Noun

The rhetoric from Rogers and other Republicans about El-Sayed has added to those frustrations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In July, antigovernment protests forced the resignation of the education minister over frustrations with the examination system.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

The thing is, the problems in the United States aren’t my problems.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Just as running from my problems was, clearing my mind over the course of many miles, or racing hard, until the adrenaline cleansed me of feeling pain, sadness, disappointment, or rage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of problems

Browse Nearby Words

pestled

pests

pesty

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Style

“Pests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pests. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pests

noun

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