CONTAGIOUS DISEASE Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

contagious disease

noun

as in infection

sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another Parents are advised to vaccinate their children against contagious diseases.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contagious disease Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases. — Ashley Abramson, Washington Post, 23 May 2026 Six months into the year, 2026 is on track to set the record for the highest number of measles cases recorded in the United States since the highly contagious disease was eliminated from the country nearly three decades ago. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026 Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is among the top concerns, sparking a warning this week from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO. — Lauren Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026 By this time, smallpox and other contagious diseases brought to the continent by the Europeans had begun to spread among the Aztecs, reducing their capital city’s population by 40 percent in 1520 alone. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contagious disease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease

Noun

In its most recent report, the UN said such infections had hit more than 80% of all displacement areas.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Evan Longoria was voted to start in 2009 but couldn’t play in the game due to finger infection, then won the election again in 2010 and made the start.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of infection

Noun

In these cases, the virus affects the brain or nervous system and can cause encephalitis or meningitis, which can result in an infection of the brain or surrounding tissue.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The strike comes at the start of enrollment for clinical trials for the treatment of the Bundibugyo virus that is responsible for this outbreak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of virus

Noun

In Orange County, its vector control district reported its first disease-carrying mosquitoes in Newport Beach on June 2.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The disease does not generally spread from person to person, but infections can occur if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters, cooling towers and other plumbing systems.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
Despite some athletes reporting illness afterward, no clear link to the water was confirmed, and the century-long psychological barrier to bathing in the Seine was finally broken.

— Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of illness

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contagious

contagious disease

contagious diseases

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“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of contagious disease

noun

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