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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
the enthusiasm of the new club members was contagious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contagious
Combine their human instinct and an unusually contagious injury bug this season, and the result was a bottom-10 defense in the NBA for the second consecutive year.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The virus is highly contagious and can infect nearly all young children, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to humans.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Still, experts said, measles is very contagious, and likely to find its way to even small pockets of people who aren’t immunized.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
The virus is highly contagious and can infect nearly all young children, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to humans.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Still, experts said, measles is very contagious, and likely to find its way to even small pockets of people who aren’t immunized.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
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His infectious personality provides a crucial morale boost during the tense playoff stretch, with teammates emphasizing how much his off-court presence means to the team’s performance.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infectious person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to the Maryland Health Department.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
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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On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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