1
a
: physically harmful or destructive to living beings
noxious waste
noxious fumes
b
: constituting a harmful influence on mind or behavior
especially
: morally corrupting
noxious doctrines
2
: disagreeable, obnoxious
this noxious political scandal—
H. L. Ickes
H. L. Ickes
noxiously
adverb
noxiousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of noxious in a Sentence
mixing bleach and ammonia can cause noxious fumes that can seriously harm you
noxious smog that for years has been encrusting the historic cathedral with soot
Recent Examples on the Web
Slovakia’s divisions have been fed by its particularly noxious online ecosphere, where politicians like Mr. Blaha, an admirer of Che Guevara and Mr. Putin, have gained large followings with attacks on domestic critics and Western leaders.
—Cassandra Vinograd, New York Times, 16 May 2024
Many, such as bull thistle, are noxious weeds that can displace native plants and contribute to problems such as soil erosion.
—Christina Grozinger, The Conversation, 15 May 2024
The Texas Department of Agriculture says any plant species that has a serious potential to cause economical or ecological harm to the agriculture, horticulture, native plants, ecology and waterways of Texas is considered noxious and invasive.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2024
Due to over-consumption, noxious pollution, and landfill mountains, humanity has abandoned Earth and resides in reclined hover chairs on an enormous spacecraft where their daily needs are automated and performed by service robots.
—EW.com, 13 May 2024
What’s the difference between an invasive plant and a noxious weed?
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
These are plants listed as Category A, B or C noxious weeds in Kansas’ administrative regulations.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Yes, weeds can go in your Boise compost bin — even noxious weeds like goatheads and rush skeletonweed.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Last week, the International Monetary Fund warned of the noxious combination of lower growth and higher debt.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Cassandra Vinograd, New York Times, 16 May 2024
Many, such as bull thistle, are noxious weeds that can displace native plants and contribute to problems such as soil erosion.
—Christina Grozinger, The Conversation, 15 May 2024
The Texas Department of Agriculture says any plant species that has a serious potential to cause economical or ecological harm to the agriculture, horticulture, native plants, ecology and waterways of Texas is considered noxious and invasive.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2024
Due to over-consumption, noxious pollution, and landfill mountains, humanity has abandoned Earth and resides in reclined hover chairs on an enormous spacecraft where their daily needs are automated and performed by service robots.
—EW.com, 13 May 2024
What’s the difference between an invasive plant and a noxious weed?
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
These are plants listed as Category A, B or C noxious weeds in Kansas’ administrative regulations.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Yes, weeds can go in your Boise compost bin — even noxious weeds like goatheads and rush skeletonweed.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Last week, the International Monetary Fund warned of the noxious combination of lower growth and higher debt.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'noxious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near noxious
Cite this Entry
“Noxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noxious. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
noxious
adjective
nox·ious
ˈnäk-shəs 
: harmful especially to health : unwholesome
noxious fumes
Medical Definition
noxious
adjective
nox·ious
ˈnäk-shəs
: physically harmful or destructive to living beings
noxious wastes
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