epidemic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of epidemicnext
1
as in pandemic

Related Words

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2
as in eruption

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

epidemic

2 of 2

adjective

ˌe-pə-ˈde-mik How to pronounce epidemic (audio)
as in infectious
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others the little girl's giggles were epidemic, and soon the entire gathering was laughing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 epidemic
Noun
Forty years ago, when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging New York, some Southern Baptists described it as God’s judgment—a punishment for its victims’ life style. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 As one of the first celebrity activists involved in the AIDS epidemic, Morgan Fairchild feared the worst when her dear friend Rock Hudson suddenly became sick in 1984. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Adjective
In 2026, Florida schools were last in reading recovery growth, near the bottom in teacher pay, and truancy is epidemic. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026 Autism, insulin resistance, and autoimmune diagnoses have reached epidemic proportions. — David Ferry, Wired News, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for epidemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epidemic
  1. pandemic
  2. eruption
  3. infectious
  4. plague
  5. explosion
  6. pestilence
  7. upswing
  8. increase
Noun
  • Congestion is difficult to predict, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, when driving behavior shifted and peak traffic hours spread out instead of sticking to the more uniform 9-to-5 workday.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • This is of particular importance to union members, who were unemployed while the theaters were closed during the pandemic, and then did not see wage increases for several years after, and are facing a high cost of living.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Definition of pandemic
Noun
  • The intense burst of X-rays released during the eruption reached Earth in just over 8 minutes, triggering strong (R3) radio blackouts across the daylight side of Earth.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 1 July 2026
  • Emissions from volcanic eruptions can also cause some chemical chaos in this system.
    — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026
Definition of eruption
Adjective
  • The atmosphere is infectious, attracting a discerning international crowd, yacht enthusiasts, fashion aficionados, and travelers who are seeking a blend of luxury and authenticity.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
  • Vibrant animation, infectious energy, and a killer soundtrack make this a future cult favorite.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
Definition of infectious
Noun
  • That aspiration has become increasingly elusive to many Americans over the last decade as home prices remain near record highs and supply shortages plague much of the country.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • She’s now caught in the middle of a deadly magical plague and high-stakes political drama.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of plague
Noun
  • Tuesday night's explosion from Contreras had actually been 24 hours in the making.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Authorities in the wealthy city-state of Monaco have launched a manhunt that’s stretched across the border into France after several people were wounded in an explosion caused by a bomb that was planted in a residential building.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Many who lived through the pandemic—and witnessed this inability to combat the lethal pestilence—developed scornful opinions of the medical profession.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • Some of those tombstones explicitly referred to a pestilence as the cause of death.
    — Marc Zimmer, The Conversation, 12 May 2026
Definition of pestilence
Noun
  • But ballooning costs aren’t the only factor contributing to the dramatic upswing in retail prices.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
  • Overreliant Before the pandemic, there was a sense that Sacramento was on an upswing, said Fat, of the L Street restaurant.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of upswing
Noun
  • Hispanics or Latinos were the target of the biggest increase in racially or ethnically motivated hate crimes, according to the report.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • However, the report noted that much of this rise was due to an increase in the number of billionaires, not just three-comma club members getting richer.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of increase

Browse Nearby Words

epicures
epidemic
epidemics
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Cite this Entry

“Epidemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epidemic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on epidemic

Nglish: Translation of epidemic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epidemic

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