as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc
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Recent Examples of pestilence
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.
—
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Horses, donkeys, camels, and herds and flocks of other livestock die from the pestilence.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
As an example, the celestial dog was thought to aid the sun in causing the intense heat, drought and pestilence of summer.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Horses, donkeys, camels, and herds and flocks of other livestock die from the pestilence.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
As an example, the celestial dog was thought to aid the sun in causing the intense heat, drought and pestilence of summer.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilence
plague
Noun
-
From November through April, the subtropical dry season spells sunny skies, 70-degree days, and fewer blood-sucking bugs that plague South Florida’s wetlands throughout the rest of the year.—
Sarah L. Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Dec. 2025
-
While not structured around the arc of plague, To the Lighthouse is centered around a traumatic absence that can’t be approached directly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilence. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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