Pest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpest/

Meaning & Definition of Pest

Pest (noun)

  1. an epidemic disease associated with high mortality; specifically, plague
  2. something resembling a pest in destructiveness; especially, a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (such as agriculture or livestock production)
  3. one that pesters or annoys, nuisance

Pest (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: pestilence, plague
    related: murrain, epidemic, pandemic, affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness, blight, curse, scourge

  2. one who is obnoxiously annoying

    "stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do"

    similar: annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, nuisance, pain, persecutor, tease, teaser, pain in the neck
    related: headache, harrier, heckler, interrupter, hassle, plague, harasser, molester, tormentor, torturer
    near: charmer, smoothy, comforter, solacer, soother

  3. something that is a source of irritation

    "a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists"

    similar: aggravation, aggro (British), annoyance, bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
    related: discomfort, fleabite, pinprick, affront, insult, offense, upset, worry, affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore, anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble, hang-up, pet peeve, problem, annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender, pandora's box
    near: delight, joy, pleasure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pest:

British: aggro
pestilence, plague, annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, nuisance, pain, persecutor, tease, teaser, aggravation, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, peeve, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation, pain in the neck

Related Words for Pest

murrain, epidemic, pandemic, affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness, blight, curse, scourge, harrier, heckler, interrupter, harasser, molester, tormentor, torturer, discomfort, fleabite, pinprick, affront, insult, offense, upset, worry

Near Antonyms of Pest

charmer, smoothy, comforter, solacer, soother, delight, joy, pleasure

Word Forms of Pest

Derived words: pesty (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Pest

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Pest

integrated pest management

Frequently Asked Questions about Pest

What does "Pest" mean?

"Pest" means an epidemic disease associated with high mortality; specifically, plague. As a noun, it is defined as: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality; specifically, plague. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pest"?

Other words for "Pest" include pestilence, plague, annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer and nudnik. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pest"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pest". Common alternatives include pestilence, plague, annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, nuisance and pain.

How do you use "Pest" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pest" in a sentence: "one of the great pests of the 20th century was the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed millions across the globe"; "stop being a pest to your sister and go find something else to do"; "a never-ending construction project that continues to be a pest for motorists".

Is "Pest" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pest" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Pest"?

"Pest" is pronounced /ˈpest/.

What is the origin of the word "Pest"?

"Pest" comes from Middle French peste, from Latin pestis. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Pest" meaning "a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death"?

When "Pest" (noun) means a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death, synonyms include pestilence and plague.