1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
chicken pox, measles, German measles, and other contagious diseases
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2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
the enthusiasm of the new club members was contagious
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contagious
The red facial rash typically appears about four days after someone becomes contagious.
—
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Frank Sinatra, whom Danza knew and worked with, is clearly the inspiration for the show, and the passion Danza has for his hero is contagious.
—Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
He's got a contagious laugh that would just light up the room.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Since the beginning of the year, the CDC has received at least 62 reports of travelers who were contagious with the highly transmissible virus while flying into the U.S. or within the country, a spokesperson for the health agency told CBS News in a statement.
—Paula Cohen, CBS News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Frank Sinatra, whom Danza knew and worked with, is clearly the inspiration for the show, and the passion Danza has for his hero is contagious.
—Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
He's got a contagious laugh that would just light up the room.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Since the beginning of the year, the CDC has received at least 62 reports of travelers who were contagious with the highly transmissible virus while flying into the U.S. or within the country, a spokesperson for the health agency told CBS News in a statement.
—Paula Cohen, CBS News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
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State health officials estimated less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Vega brought an infectious attitude to the team that finished the year 24-1 and wound up No. 1 in the nation in the MaxPreps rankings.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.—
Daniel Taylor,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.—
Daniel Taylor,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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