poison 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of poisonnext
as in poisoned
containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing the witch gave Snow White a poison apple

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poison

2 of 3

noun

ˈpȯi-zᵊn How to pronounce poison (audio)
as in toxic
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing the only way to get rid of rats is to leave out poison

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poison

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable poisoning the minds of impressionable children with ethnic hatred

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2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable exhaust fumes poisoning the air

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3
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality this party partisanship poisons the national debate we should be having about this urgent problem

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4
as in to turn
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge malicious rumors had poisoned many church members against the new pastor

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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 poison
Adjective
Ken said, battling through the foliage before realizing most of it was poison ivy. — Elisabeth Egan, chicagotribune.com, 10 June 2017 Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs. — National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020
Noun
As the creature lies, slowly dying, on the table of a local healer, Kara vows to find Krem, who wears a little vial around his neck holding the antidote to the poison. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026 That second episode was The Lion and the Rose, Joffrey and Margaery’s poison-interrupted wedding. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
Despite her initial disinterest, Kara develops a personal stake when Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts), the one who killed Ruthye's parents and brother, poisons her dog Krypto. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 One of Robinson's attorneys, Kathryn Nester, also represented Kouri Richins, who was convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for poison
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poison
  1. poisonous
  2. toxic
  3. taint
  4. pollute
  5. degrade
  6. turn
  7. disease
  8. spoil
Adjective
  • All of this played out against an increasingly poisonous political environment.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
  • Sago palm, oleander, foxglove, azaleas and lily of the valley are all common and all poisonous.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of poisonous
Noun
  • Portside residents face higher cancer risk from air toxics than 93% of the nation.
    — Jose Franco Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2026
  • Asparagus releases a chemical toxic to root knot nematodes, a microscopic round worm that creates multiple disease and growth problems in tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes and peppers.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 3 May 2026
Definition of toxic
Verb
  • That experience is quickly tainted, however, once dullness and yellowing set into the fabrics.
    — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • We’re paralyzed by whether a carbon-belching fossil fuel company’s right to pollute should outweigh the rest of the country’s right to clean air and a stable climate.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • Clara Benson, who is one of the founders of the No Big Bend Wall coalition, says bright lights in the area designed to illuminate the border could pollute the skies in an area renowned for having some of the best views of the stars.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of pollute
Verb
  • When temperatures rise, heat can quietly degrade pantry staples, making refrigeration essential to preserve quality and flavor.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026
  • If leaders are not present and actively developing people, the system degrades—quietly at first, then all at once.
    — Brian Coyne, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Some critics on social media counter that the gatherings risk turning spirituality into spectacle, performance and commodity all at once.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of turn
Noun
  • The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment, according to the United Nations.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • The rabies vaccine, if administered immediately after exposure, is nearly 100% successful at preventing the disease, according to the World Health Organization.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • Whether they're getting greased after a Super Bowl or spoiling All-Star rosters, does any city's poles get as much attention as Philadelphia's?
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • Both suet and hummingbird nectar are very susceptible to spoiling from the heat.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of spoil

Browse Nearby Words

poising
poison
poisoned
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Cite this Entry

“Poison.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poison. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poison

Nglish: Translation of poison for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poison

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