pestiferous

adjective

pes·​tif·​er·​ous pe-ˈsti-f(ə-)rəs How to pronounce pestiferous (audio)
Synonyms of pestiferousnext
1
: dangerous to society : pernicious
2
a
: carrying or propagating infection : pestilential
b
: infected with a pestilential disease
3
: troublesome, annoying
pestiferously adverb
pestiferousness noun

Synonyms of pestiferous

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Examples of pestiferous in a Sentence

a pestiferous weed that has given gardeners no end of grief
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.
Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria. — Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016 After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness. — Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin pestifer pestilential, noxious, from pestis + -fer -ferous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pestiferous was in the 15th century

Rhymes for pestiferous

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Browse Nearby Words

pesticide
pestiferous
pestilence
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Cite this Entry

“Pestiferous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestiferous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pestiferous

adjective
pes·​tif·​er·​ous pes-ˈtif-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce pestiferous (audio)
1
: dangerous to society : pernicious
2
: troublesome sense 2

Medical Definition

pestiferous

adjective
pes·​tif·​er·​ous pes-ˈtif-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce pestiferous (audio)
1
: carrying or propagating infection : pestilential
a pestiferous insect
2
: infected with a pestilential disease
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