poisonous
/'pɔiznəs/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Containing or being a substance that can cause illness or death if ingested, absorbed, or inhaled: Describes a material, plant, or animal that produces a toxin.
- Extremely unpleasant, malicious, or harmful: Describes language, behavior, or an atmosphere that is deeply spiteful and damaging.
Usage and Examples
- Literal meaning (containing poison):
- Some mushrooms are highly poisonous and should never be eaten.
- The factory was fined for dumping poisonous chemicals into the river.
- Figurative meaning (malicious or harmful):
- She gave him a poisonous look full of hatred.
- The political debate was filled with poisonous rhetoric.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Poisonous" vs. "Venomous": In precise biological usage, poisonous describes something harmful if touched or eaten (e.g., a poisonous berry), while venomous describes an animal that injects toxins through a bite or sting (e.g., a venomous snake). However, in general language, "poisonous" is often used for both.
- Describing an environment: Can describe a situation or relationship that is toxic and corrupting.
- He left the company to escape its poisonous work culture.
Variants and Related Words
- Poison (noun/verb): The toxic substance itself, or the act of administering it.
- noun: Arsenic is a deadly poison.
- verb: Someone tried to poison the king.
- Poisonously (adverb): In a poisonous manner.
- He spoke poisonously about his former friend.
Synonyms
- Toxic: Harmful or deadly due to poison (more common in scientific contexts).
- Virulent: Extremely severe or harmful in its effects; also used for bitter hostility.
- Malicious: Characterized by malice; intending to do harm.
- Noxious: Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A poisonous pen: Used to describe a writer who produces very harsh, malicious, or damaging criticism.
- The critic was known for her poisonous pen.
- Poisonous atmosphere: A social or emotional environment characterized by intense negativity, suspicion, or hostility.
- After the scandal, a poisonous atmosphere pervaded the office.
Adjective
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marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
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poisonous hate
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venomous criticism
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vicious gossip
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not safe to eat
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having the qualities or effects of a poison
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