as in viruses
sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another
The rumors spread like a contagion.
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Recent Examples of contagions
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.
—
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The lack of information surrounding outbreaks is a new and troubling trend among local and state officials nationwide, according to health advocates and lawyers who specialize in tracking foodborne illnesses and other environmental contagions.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
This Halloween, step into stories where science meets terror, where contagions kill, landscapes devour explorers, and technology crushes the human soul.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Both also blamed those who were not responsible, traded in the language of contagions and moral certitude, and believed that controlling the medium could solve the problem — or, at the very least, not deepen the problem further.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The lack of information surrounding outbreaks is a new and troubling trend among local and state officials nationwide, according to health advocates and lawyers who specialize in tracking foodborne illnesses and other environmental contagions.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
This Halloween, step into stories where science meets terror, where contagions kill, landscapes devour explorers, and technology crushes the human soul.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Both also blamed those who were not responsible, traded in the language of contagions and moral certitude, and believed that controlling the medium could solve the problem — or, at the very least, not deepen the problem further.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagions
Noun
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All the vaccines available for children this year protect against three different influenza viruses (two A viruses and one B virus).—
Dr. Kristina Bryant,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
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And a third found that the medication may have a broader antiviral effect against other respiratory viruses, including the influenza virus.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the add-on to lock devices separated from their owner’s watch is a major plus point, especially as the smartphone theft pandemic plagues users worldwide.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Rubbermaid EasyFindLids Food Storage Containers Finding the right lid to fit your food storage container plagues just about all of us, but this set solves that problem.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contagions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagions. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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