Word Games Pro Dictionary

pestiferous

adjective

causing irritation or annoyance

Quick reference

Word Facts

Word length
11
Starts with
P
Ends with
S
Contains
ES
Scrabble score
16
Database source
OEWN 2025 Core

How it sounds

Pronunciation

ˌpɛsˈtɪfəɹəs

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Audio Pronunciation

Audio pronunciation is unavailable for this word.

Meaning

Definitions

adjective

  1. causing irritation or annoyance

    “tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork”

adjective

  1. tending to corrupt or pervert

adjective

  1. likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease

    “{'source': 'Jonathan Swift', 'text': 'a pestilential malignancy in the air'}”

adjective

  1. contaminated with infecting organisms

    “dirty wounds”

In context

Example Sentences

tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
found it galling to have to ask permission
an irritating delay
nettlesome paperwork
{'source': 'Jonathan Swift', 'text': 'a pestilential malignancy in the air'}
plaguey fevers
dirty wounds
{'source': 'Jane Austen', 'text': 'obliged to go into infected rooms'}

Similar words

Synonyms

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