PEST Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

pest

noun

ˈpest

Definition of pest

as in plague

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 nuisance

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 headache

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pest The bacteria could detect signals associated with drought, pests or disease. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles residents of Boyle Heights are still living with the aftermath of a massive June 17 warehouse fire, as the stench of rotting food and ongoing pest problems continue to disrupt the neighborhood, according to reports. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Cucumbers turn bitter, tomato flowers shrivel, leaves wilt, and pests such as whiteflies and spider mites run rampant across the fields. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026 While pruning is necessary to remove yellowing or damaged leaves or manage pests or disease, cutting it back regularly isn’t needed. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pest

Noun

Many of us hear talk of plague and think that humanity, as ever, will manage to muddle through.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
The two soon stumble back into the cult that created the plague doctor — a cult in which people are killed and resurrected, taken apart and rebuilt.

— S.M. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Noun

Therefore, the state-level attorney general might opt to bring a legal charge of public nuisance against an AI maker and their AI.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Golden State’s stellar defense has quickly developed a reputation for being a nuisance against top guards in particular.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

These include a severe or persistent headache, changes in vision such as blurred vision or seeing spots, pain in the upper abdomen, significant swelling of the face or hands, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting later in pregnancy.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Unfortunately, the sound system problems that began during the Romantics set (and would actually continue during Toto’s performance) hit their height of annoyance while Cross was on the stage.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Seat switchers—passengers who ask to switch seats—also made the list as the top annoyance for 20 percent of respondents.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

Baydon's tattoo needle is a spiky thorn of a pomelo tree attached to a thin bamboo reed.

— Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
That would be, of course, the dozen attorneys general led by California’s Rob Bonta, whose antitrust lawsuit last month seeking to block the merger has been a thorn in Ellison’s side.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Powder emitted from an airbag deployment in Hampton’s car could have been an irritant to Hampton’s eyes, Brissette suggested.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Definition of irritant

Noun

That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
The move follows efforts by Pinterest and LinkedIn to respond to users’ frustrations with AI slop in their feeds.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

pessimists

pest

pester

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Style

“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pest. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pest

noun

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