epidemic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of epidemicnext
1
as in pandemic

Related Words

Relevance
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
Hall doesn’t think social media is the root of our current epidemic of loneliness. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 The Longchamp epidemic Roughly 80% of Longchamp’s customers are female, Cassegrain tells Vogue Business. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Autism, insulin resistance, and autoimmune diagnoses have reached epidemic proportions. — David Ferry, Wired News, 10 Dec. 2025 From Breath To Burnout The early identification of imbalances caused by chronic stress resonates deeply in our current health climate, where burnout, emotional exhaustion and cognitive fatigue are silently epidemic. — Trisha Swift, Forbes.com, 28 July 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
  • That has forced people waiting for emergency care into a large white tent outside, which was put up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Buckley attributed its financial troubles to excessive debt and the pandemic, arguing that the brand’s appeal survived the business’s difficulties.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of pandemic
Noun
  • Such a cloud is typically linked to an eruption of heavy elements—those created during a neutron star collision and its resulting kilonova.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The night that inspired Gothic literature In 1815, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia released a massive cloud of ash and particulates, large enough to affect global weather.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of eruption
Adjective
  • Many kinds of infectious agents are spread through contact with fomites, including influenza viruses, norovirus, and rotavirus.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As for the neighborhood, the Brera district is a favorite of both locals and visitors with its unique atmosphere that combines the best of historic Milan with the restless and infectious energy of the city’s creative scene today.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of infectious
Noun
  • Two-inch straps tipped with zinc alloy hooks lock the cover down and cut back on the constant readjusting that plagues cheaper slipcovers.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The biggest problem with the plague was that no one knew when it would be fully curbed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of plague
Noun
  • Using the Gemini North telescope, Caiazzo and colleagues zoomed in on Pa 30, discovering knots along the strands of gas radiating out from the site of the cosmic explosion, like pearls on a string.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The explosion was set off in front of the local branch of Colombia's tax collection agency near the Francisco de Paula de Santander International bridge.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • As famine, war, pestilence and death galloped through, religious thought had been taking on an apocalyptic and self-abnegatory fervor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
  • The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears.
    — Kim Crooks Korinek, Christian Science Monitor, 18 May 2026
Definition of pestilence
Noun
  • Nimesh Patel’s stock in comedy has been on an upswing lately.
    — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That upswing in pipeline plays received a potential boost Wednesday with the Senate introduction of a bipartisan, infrastructure permitting reform bill that could gain legislative momentum before the end of the year.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of upswing
Noun
  • Maine, North Carolina and Ohio also have seen increases of more than 30% in early in-person and mail voting compared with the same point in 2022.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Washington State reported a much lower $86 million for 2026; however, that’s an increase of $11 million from 2025, as the athletic department has returned to a budget equal to the final year of the old Pac-12 in fiscal 2024.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epidemic

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