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
That’s higher than in any other calendar year since a significant nationwide measles epidemic from 1989 to 1991 led to 55,365 cases over the three years — 17,914 in 1989; 27,808 in 1990; and 9,643 in 1991. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 GLP-1s can make a significant dent in the obesity epidemic and reduce downstream costs of treating diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, musculoskeletal conditions, and more. — Bryan Sivak, Fortune, 23 July 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
  • Equity gaps remain Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UC system is on track to meet these goals in 2030.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Bouclé was already gaining traction before the pandemic, but lockdowns in 2020 pushed it into the mainstream.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of pandemic
Noun
  • While fine ash was detected within public areas of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, no solid rocks or magma fragments that were ejected during the eruption were reported in any other populated areas.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The results may help improve hazard assessments in Sicily, where Etna eruptions threaten adjacent communities.
    — Refractor, Refractor, 27 July 2026
Definition of eruption
Adjective
  • Stick around for the stage’s headliner, Chicagoland native John Summit, whose brand of infectious house music has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
    — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • Another infectious traveler passed through LAX while infected with measles earlier this month.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of infectious
Noun
  • The deadliest animal to have ever roamed the earth is not the great white shark, or snakes, or even rats that caused three great plagues in history, decimating the human population at the time.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
  • Had he been exposed to a more run-of-the-mill pneumonic plague, symptom onset would have already consigned him to bed.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Definition of plague
Noun
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Deep ocean recordings blend with orchestral timpani, distant explosions, vibrations and the recorded buzzing of bees.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 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
  • Josh, a perpetual self-optimizer, is convinced that an upswing is just around the corner.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
  • This upswing in both quality and popularity has seen Hollywood press play on more video game adaptations than ever.
    — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of upswing
Noun
  • That increase has already led to more sunny day flooding, intensified rainfalls and hurricanes, reflected in higher and higher insurance premiums.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The brand gained more than 19 million views on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube in the last five months, representing a 273 percent increase from the same period last year.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 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 2 Aug. 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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