flesh-eating disease

noun

: necrotizing fasciitis
Many people carry streptococcus without ever getting sick, so medical experts are baffled as to why some people develop the flesh-eating disease while others do not.Rosa Maria Santana
Known as necrotizing fasciitis, flesh-eating disease is a rare infection that spreads quickly throughout the body just under the skin.Arti Patel

Examples of flesh-eating disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One group dipped their arrows in a toxic substance that caused a fatal flesh-eating disease. Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026 The bacteria can get into the body through open wounds in the skin and cause the surrounding tissue to die, a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shreya Srinivasan, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025 Otherwise, the mighty Chesapeake and her rivers will never be better than today with flesh-eating diseases and collapsing fisheries dominating. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 O'Hara later developed a rare flesh-eating disease, which resulted in his hospitalization and intensive care. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024 But when one of them contracts a flesh-eating disease after coming in contact with a dying stranger (Arie Verveen), their getaway spirals into a gruesome fight for survival. James Mercadante, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024 Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease caused by a rare bacterial infection, which develops after bacteria enters the body through cuts, scrapes, burns or insect bites. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2024 Many of the infections have been due to Aeromonas bacteria, which live in brackish water and can cause severe skin reactions ranging from mild cellulitis — red, swollen and painful skin — to necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flesh-eating disease was in 1994

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Cite this Entry

“Flesh-eating disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flesh-eating%20disease. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

flesh-eating disease

noun
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