paraquat
noun
para·quat
ˈper-ə-ˌkwät 
ˈpa-rə-
: a highly toxic contact herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+
Examples of paraquat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wei claims she was exposed to herbicides that included paraquat dichloride, glyphosate and oxyfluorfen, which have been linked to cancer.
—
David K. Li, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
Previous studies have already linked chemicals found in pesticides including paraquat and rotenone to neurodegeneration, according to the study.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
The Washington Post reports that 70 countries have banned paraquat, an herbicide that has drawn scrutiny for its possible links to Parkinson’s disease.
—David Gelles, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Calling for further study, California lawmakers table ban on toxic herbicide paraquat.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and paraquat, used in herbicides made by Syngenta, are two of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. Both have disputed links between their products and fatal diseases and have settled with plaintiffs for billions in total.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
When paraquat, a toxic pesticide, was introduced in Samoa, the suicide rate shot up.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
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.
David K. Li, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
Previous studies have already linked chemicals found in pesticides including paraquat and rotenone to neurodegeneration, according to the study.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
The Washington Post reports that 70 countries have banned paraquat, an herbicide that has drawn scrutiny for its possible links to Parkinson’s disease.
—David Gelles, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Calling for further study, California lawmakers table ban on toxic herbicide paraquat.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and paraquat, used in herbicides made by Syngenta, are two of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. Both have disputed links between their products and fatal diseases and have settled with plaintiffs for billions in total.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
When paraquat, a toxic pesticide, was introduced in Samoa, the suicide rate shot up.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Paraquat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraquat. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paraquat
noun
para·quat
ˈpar-ə-ˌkwät
: an herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+ that is used especially as a weed killer and that is extremely toxic to the liver, kidneys, and lungs if ingested
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share