as in infection
sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another
Parents are advised to vaccinate their children against contagious diseases.
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Recent Examples of contagious disease
In all, two children died of the highly contagious disease during the Texas outbreak, from January through mid-August 2025.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lincoln County measles case Wednesday, the Lincoln County Health Department was notified of an unvaccinated person who tested positive for the highly contagious disease.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2026
Advocates and medical experts warn that a highly contagious disease spreading inside a crowded facility housing young children — some already medically vulnerable — poses an acute public-health risk.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that is marked by a distinct rash and a fever.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lincoln County measles case Wednesday, the Lincoln County Health Department was notified of an unvaccinated person who tested positive for the highly contagious disease.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2026
Advocates and medical experts warn that a highly contagious disease spreading inside a crowded facility housing young children — some already medically vulnerable — poses an acute public-health risk.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that is marked by a distinct rash and a fever.
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease
Noun
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Hair loss could also be due to infection.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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San Diego County military bases have failed to provide proper shelter and care for many of their working canines, periodically exposing the dogs to extreme weather and potential infections, according to a new report by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The California Department of Public Health says, back on March 4, they were alerted by Sacramento County officials about a child with measles who may have exposed about 130 children to the virus.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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The virus spreads via respiratory droplets and saliva through coughing, sneezing, talking or sharing eating utensils.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Detainees have described a camp where an average of about 3,000 people per day live in loud and unsanitary quarters, diseases spread easily and sleep is a luxury.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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That same month, Stewart, who had dedicated his career to ticks and Lyme disease as a federal scientist, retired early.—
Rachana Pradhan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After falling behind early in camp due to an illness, Sheehan made his first appearance in the Cactus League Wednesday against Team Mexico.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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When faced with a patient suffering from an illness, many nurses err on the side of prescribing something.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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