pestilent

adjective

pes·​ti·​lent ˈpe-stə-lənt How to pronounce pestilent (audio)
Synonyms of pestilentnext
1
: destructive of life : deadly
2
: injuring or endangering society : pernicious
3
: causing displeasure or annoyance
4
: infectious, contagious
a pestilent disease
pestilently adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of pestilent in a Sentence

proper hand washing will help prevent the spread of most pestilent diseases pestilent reporters hounding him night and day
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.
New York scored a big win in its comeback over the pestilent Houston Rockets on Monday. — Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025 The high densities of brine flies — so dense shorelines can look like they are matted with tar — are an indication of a healthy lake, not a pestilent one. — Daniel Rothberg, Vox, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin pestilent-, pestilens pestilential, from pestis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pestilent was in the 14th century

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pestilent
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Cite this Entry

“Pestilent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilent. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pestilent

adjective
pes·​ti·​lent ˈpes-tə-lənt How to pronounce pestilent (audio)
1
: dangerous or destructive to life : deadly
a pestilent drug
2
: harmful or dangerous to society : pernicious
3
: causing displeasure or annoyance
a pestilent child
4
: infectious sense 1, contagious
a pestilent disease
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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