epidemic 1 of 2

Definition of epidemicnext

epidemic

2 of 2

adjective

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
The story of the Montreal Protocol starts, bizarrely, with an epidemic of deadly fridges in the 1920s. Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported on the cheating epidemic that has overtaken schools and universities as students outsource their assignments to a chat bot. Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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 But some researchers say the response should not be limited to the epidemic hot spots in big cities. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for epidemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epidemic
Noun
  • The loyal customers have helped Thai Taste through some difficult times, including the 2008 financial crisis and the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Coming out of the pandemic, Jason Dayton, cofounder of Minneapolis Cider Company, got into the hemp THC business after a 2022 state law explicitly legalized the products with certain regulations.
    Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The eruption of an Icelandic volcano kept some artists from getting to the festival, including The Cribs and Frightened Rabbit.
    Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Home to the volcanic eruptions that have been hitting headlines since 2023, the country’s geothermal power is on full display.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Nacua became known for his infectious enthusiasm and ability to catch almost anything Rams MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford threw his way.
    Los Angeles Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Measles, ​among the most infectious of pathogens, requires that 95% of ​the population be vaccinated in order to prevent its spread.
    Reuters, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Most references to the Arbat in the ancient chronicles are connected to fires, amid mention of invasions and plagues and noble births.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • When Pharaoh refused, God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt as punishment, destroying crops and livestock and afflicting the people, according to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
    Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Days after the explosion, Amin called his mother in Iran again, with better news.
    Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • However, an oxygen-tank explosion 56 hours after launch scotched those plans and put the mission into survival mode.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • 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, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The upswing is strong enough that the tech industry is filling up an array of empty office spaces in the region in a hopeful sign for the local market, Savills, a commercial real estate firm, reported.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The trading volatility on Thursday interrupted an upswing for markets earlier in the week.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As Christians around the world mark Holy Week, the Catholic Church in the United States is reporting a notable increase in attendance and interest in joining the faith.
    Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Epidemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epidemic. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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