pandemic 1 of 2

Definition of pandemicnext
as in epidemic
medical an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world The 1918 flu pandemic claimed millions of lives. the AIDS pandemic

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pandemic

2 of 2

adjective

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 pandemic
Noun
Many feared downtown would be swamped by foreclosures after the pandemic as building owners struggled to fill spaces left behind by the shift to work-from-home. Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Florida was among the states that surged in popularity during the pandemic, with homebuilders staying busy with new construction. Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
After a pandemic-era detour back to land casinos in Philly, Florida, and Las Vegas, Simonetti is now back at sea on his 14th contract with Crystal, having visited 116 countries and counting—some of them more than a dozen times. Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026 Homeownership and home sales in Ohio have declined since the early pandemic years, according to a FY 2024 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment. Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pandemic
Noun
  • China is the primary origin of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a highly potent opioid underpinning a deadly drug epidemic in the United States.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The report adds another bitter note to the MSS mission, which struggled for a year to support local police’s response to an epidemic of gang violence before ending in October 2025.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Now, though, with the widespread circulation of magic manuals, grimoires, and related compendia—with the recording, on paper, of words, spells, histories, stories—witchcraft has taken an irreversible step into the exoteric realm.
    Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • At a time of widespread angst over runaway ticket prices, merely encountering something novel at a concert isn’t enough for many to justify the cost of getting in the door, particularly when superstars like Taylor Swift and SZA are on the road showing that innovation and value can coexist.
    Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • What might be less obvious is that the compositional structures of the 808 and its descendants are pervasive, too.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Discussions around aging have perhaps never felt more charged, or more pervasive than of late.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Orange terra cotta panels are set within the precast and suggest a lighter touch than the concrete that’s prevalent throughout the original buildings on campus.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Inclusion is prevalent in K-Pop culture and Oh’s students also reflect a diverse student group.
    Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As part of a two-question ballot measure, the Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to pay down the district’s debt.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • But there is some risk the city will need to increase its general fund contribution in the new fiscal year because there are expected to be cuts to state funding.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • However, the awards are co-organised by Tokyo International Film Festival, and speculation has been rife that there were concerns about the optics had the ceremony taken place, as Japanese cinema has had a strong year and was likely to walk off with multiple prizes.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Speculation has been rife that HTC isn’t in fact manufacturing the phones internally, but had commissioned an ODM — original design manufacturer — to produce the hardware.
    Dominic Preston, The Verge, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a new kind of public-land group gaining momentum out West, and this one is wading unapologetically into the political arena.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Another important note to make is that Lupaia is closed during the winter season for improvements to the rooms, garden, public area, and overall guest experience since the weather is too unpredictable to welcome guests during that time anyway.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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