toxin

noun

ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce toxin (audio)
Definition of toxinnext
as in poison
a substance that by chemical action can kill or injure a living thing read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 toxin It is caused by eating or drinking food contaminated with either bacteria, viruses, parasites or a harmful toxin. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Alcohol Drinking alcohol often or in large amounts produces toxins, causes oxidative stress, and harms your gut and liver, triggering inflammation. — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026 Research examining toxins and microplastics in aquatic environments has raised concerns about their potential effects on these microscopic organisms and the broader marine ecosystem. — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Patients might be women in their 30s with an autoimmune disease like lupus or people of any age exposed to such toxins as methamphetamines or, in the past, the fen-phen appetite suppressant drug of the 1990s, later withdrawn after being linked to heart disease. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for toxin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxin
  1. poison
  2. toxic
  3. disease
  4. venom
Noun
  • Revenge… Historically, femme spirits have been more likely than men to use poison as an act of killing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Kara changes her tune when Krem hijacks Kara’s ship and shoots Krypto with a poison dart.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
Definition of poison
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
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
Noun
  • Public Luxury is less a dissertation on those tenets than an emotional response to the struggle to achieve it—mouths dripping with venom, eyes swollen with tears, hearts heavy with love.
    — Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • One common misconception is that lionfish are inedible because of their venom.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026
Definition of venom

Browse Nearby Words

toxics
toxin
toxins
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Cite this Entry

“Toxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on toxin

Nglish: Translation of toxin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toxin

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