Synonyms for

Poison

Verb / ˈpɔɪzʌn / Another word for poison — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a substance that can cause illness or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed

Synonyms & similar words

toxicant envenom poisonoussubstance toxic venom deadly lethal noxious dangerous harmful destructive injurious malignant infectious contaminated polluted unhealthy unsanitary poisonous toxin pesticide herbicide fungicide

Synonyms by register

Formal

toxin venom noxious substance deleterious agent

Informal

killer bug killer weed killer

Literary

bane scourge pestilence

Antonyms

antidote cure remedy panacea balm soothing agent

Common collocations

  • deadly poison
  • slow poison
  • poison ivy
  • poison gas
  • poison control
  • poison dart frog
  • poison apple

Word family

noun poison
verb poison
adjective poisonous
adverb poisonously

Usage note

While 'poison' can refer to any harmful substance, it often implies a substance that causes death or severe illness. 'Venom' specifically refers to poison secreted by animals.

Example sentences

  1. The poison ivy made my skin itch.
  2. The poison dart frog is very colorful but also very dangerous.
  3. We have to be careful not to eat any poison mushrooms.
  4. The poison gas in the room made us feel sick.
  5. The poison of a snake can kill a person.

Quotes

  • Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy. - Paracelsus
  • The poison of skepticism becomes, like alcoholism, tuberculosis, and some other diseases, much more virulent in a hitherto virgin soil. - Simone Weil
  • There is poison in the fang of the serpent, in the mouth of the fly and in the sting of a scorpion; but the wicked man is saturated with it. - Chanakya

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