pestilent

[ pes-tl-uhnt ]

adjective

1. producing or tending to produce infectious or contagious, often epidemic, disease; pestilential.
2. destructive to life; deadly; poisonous.
3. injurious to peace, morals, etc.; pernicious.
4. troublesome, annoying, or mischievous.

pestilent

/ ˈpɛstɪlənt /

adjective

1. annoying; irritating
2. highly destructive morally or physically; pernicious
3. infected with or likely to cause epidemic or infectious disease

Derived Forms

• ˈpestilently, adverb

Other Words From

• pesti·lent·ly adverb
• anti·pesti·lent adjective
• anti·pesti·lent·ly adverb
• non·pesti·lent adjective
• non·pesti·lent·ly adverb
• un·pesti·lent adjective
• un·pesti·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestilent¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pestilent- (stem of pestilēns ) unhealthy, noxious, alteration of pestilentus, equivalent to pesti- (stem of pestis ) pest + -lentus -lent

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestilent¹

C15: from Latin pestilens unwholesome, from pestis plague

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, even before getting creamed in court this week, the pestilent “juvenile delinquent” redirected his grievance to avoid the courtroom’s “gag order” . to his nemesis, special counsel Jack Smith, who indicted Trump in both the federal election interference case. and the classified documents case..

From Salon

A swath of the Santa Clarita Valley is under a first-of-its-kind quarantine after the invasive and pestilent tau fruit fly was found in the area, officials announced this week.

From Los Angeles Times

But racist real estate rules and low pay sequestered Mexican workers and their families in cramped, often pestilent shacks, where deadly tuberculosis spread just like COVID-19 has today.

From Los Angeles Times

I can’t pretend that moviegoing was in great shape before theaters became a pestilent vector.

From New York Times

"They require less water and grow in really hot temperatures. They are good for the farmer because they are very resilient and can survive pestilent diseases. They are good for you because they are more nutritious. Studies show that millets reduce diabetes, improve cholesterol profiles, alleviate calcium, zinc and iron deficiencies. They are also gluten free."

From BBC