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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Recent Examples of contagious
Key Takeaways Measles is highly contagious — easily transmitted through the air — which explains a recent surge of cases in undervaccinated communities.
—
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 May 2025
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily, and most severely, affects children.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 May 2025
The duo’s performance was casual and comfortable, and their delight in sharing the stage was contagious.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 20 May 2025
Symptoms last up to three days, but those with the virus can still be contagious for another 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 May 2025
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily, and most severely, affects children.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 May 2025
The duo’s performance was casual and comfortable, and their delight in sharing the stage was contagious.
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 20 May 2025
Symptoms last up to three days, but those with the virus can still be contagious for another 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
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Mannie Fresh’s space bloops paired with the Hot Boys’ colorful bars were just too infectious to be ignored.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
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Dogs from other countries are not subject to the same health and welfare requirements required by the Animal Welfare Act and regularly arrive in the United States with serious and infectious canine diseases.—
Sheila Goffe,
Boston Herald,
3 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 13 Jun. 2025.
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