poison 1 of 3

poison

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noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

poison

3 of 3

verb

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2
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs. National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops. National Geographic, 10 Feb. 2020
Noun
Regular pesticides do not work on these squirrels, and spraying more toxic poisons around the base is against federal law and could harm the children of service members who live on base. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 Instead of gridlock, internal combustion machines spewing their poisons, and maddened drivers sitting on their horns, there are masses of…bicycles! Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 July 2025
Verb
The extremists allegedly plotted to poison Kelly’s food, leaving the Chocolate Factory crooner too paranoid to eat. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 June 2025 Still, no amount of artistic success could heal the rift that had poisoned the group. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for poison
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poison
Noun
  • The politics at Oakland Unified have moved from contentious to outright toxic in the past two years, with the board split on key votes around financial decisions.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 31 May 2025
  • Just last week, for example, the Trump administration, through its Environmental Protection Agency, proposed to withdraw two rules imposing air toxics and greenhouse gas limits on fossil-fuel power plants.
    Wayne Messam, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • With him alive, she was tainted by association with his poor behavior.
    Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
  • Combs’ reputation has been thoroughly tainted by the lurid details of the trial and strong condemnations from his many accusers.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • If contaminated floodwater is swallowed, or pollutes drinking water, this can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
    ByMary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 July 2025
  • For decades, biologists have studied how cities affect wildlife by altering food supplies, fragmenting habitats and polluting the environment.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Customer service was once rated among the highest in the American Customer Satisfaction Index – until relentless budget cuts started to degrade it.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But, unlike metal drill bits, which generally last for years, these enabling molecules are designed to degrade very quickly, falling apart within a few days at most.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • With Mercury turning direct on the 7th, any communication mishaps or misunderstandings from earlier in the month should clear up, offering you the chance to reconnect with others in an easier and more effective way.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisonous mushrooms following a trial that has gripped the world.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 July 2025
  • The atmosphere in the Rockies’ clubhouse is not toxic, unlike Chicago’s, which reportedly was poisonous for much of last season.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Vaccination Rates Are Declining Despite the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and the potential severity of the disease, vaccination rates are declining.
    Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Sitting or standing on the plate for just a few minutes can help with lymphatic drainage, in return reducing swelling, boosting the immune system, and lessening the chance of disease.
    Kristin Auble, Vogue, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Poison.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poison. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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