TOXINS Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

toxins

noun

plural of toxin

as in poisons

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

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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 toxins The study continued that natural selection, genetic drift, and recombination biases shape the evolution of nonribosomal peptides, a class of compounds used in antibiotics such as penicillin, as well as toxins. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 While the giant fungus has not been tested for toxins, some locals had even tasted it and reported no ill effects, said study coauthor Indunil Senanayake, an associate professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany in China. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 The physician referred him to a neurologist who noted cognitive impairment, possibly due to exposure to multiple toxins at the Hanford Site. — Lizz Giordano, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026 The goal was to use Claude to design proteins that could bind to the toxins in scorpion venom. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026 Experts told Everyday Health that mold and any resulting toxins in coffee shouldn’t be a concern for drinkers. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 What’s Happening Mycotoxins are toxins formed by molds that can grow on crops like grains and coffee beans if improperly stored. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 While raw materials potentially useful for Earth life are found in abundance on Mars, they are mixed in the soil with toxins such as perchlorate, as well as salts that would make growth difficult for most organisms. — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 After the 2025 fires, there were complaints by residents that the FAIR Plan refused to test and remediate homes suffering damage by smoke, which can leave behind lead, asbestos and other toxins. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toxins

Noun

Previous strategies for growing plants on Mars included rinsing these poisons out, bringing supplemental fertilizers from Earth, or avoiding Martian soil entirely and using hydroponics.

— Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Dimitri Capuani’s production design is an essential, telling element of the film, from the pill bottles on top of the fridge to the rows of poisons in the pantry that Highsmith knows Edward will spot.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of poisons

Noun

In late May, about 50,000 people in Orange County were evacuated because, at a Garden Grove site operated by GKN Aerospace, tanks holding a volatile hazardous chemical called methyl methacrylate were at risk of exploding or leaking toxics.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Munoz is an independent toxicologist working in collaboration with MAHA against pesticides and toxics.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of toxics

Noun

Animal diseases also threaten our economy and food system, destroying more than 20% of global livestock production each year.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The couple created the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization whose efforts include curing, managing and preventing all diseases.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of diseases

Noun

The examples include possible gain-of-function research and involve both infectious diseases, such as bird flu, and novel venoms and toxins.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Some venoms paralyze respiratory muscles, while others destroy tissue, disrupt blood clotting, damage kidneys, or trigger cardiovascular collapse.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of venoms

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toxin

toxins

toy

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“Toxins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toxins. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of toxins

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