noxious
/ˈnɒkʃəs/
Group 18Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant GRE
Example in Context
The factory emitted noxious fumes that sickened residents of the neighboring community and contaminated the local water supply.
Synonyms
toxicharmfulpoisonous
Etymology
Full of harm — something that poisons or is unpleasant.
- nox- (Latin) — harm
- ious (Latin) — full of
Memory Aid
💥Sounds like “Knocks Us”
When a NOXIOUS odor knocks us out, we can’t help but make a face!
Visual Association
☠️A cartoon skunk releasing a green cloud of stink, making everyone faint around it.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “noxious” mean on the GRE?
noxious (adjective) means “Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant”. The factory emitted noxious fumes that sickened residents of the neighboring community and contaminated the local water supply.
How to remember “noxious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “noxious” sounds like “Knocks Us”. When a NOXIOUS odor knocks us out, we can’t help but make a face!
What are synonyms for “noxious”?
Common synonyms: toxic, harmful, poisonous.