contagious disease

noun

Definition of contagious diseasenext
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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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 contagious disease Six months into the year, 2026 is on track to set the record for the highest number of measles cases recorded in the United States since the highly contagious disease was eliminated from the country nearly three decades ago. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026 Those threats include measles — one of the world’s most contagious diseases — as well as respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and influenza. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 June 2026 Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases. — Ashley Abramson, Washington Post, 23 May 2026 How does contagious disease spread? — Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease
  1. infection
  2. virus
  3. disease
  4. illness
Noun
  • Louisiana health officials are urging Gulf Coast beachgoers to take precautions amid a surge in infections caused by a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many residents’ anger is caused by misinformation about the virus and bans on traditional burials — when families prepare the bodies and people gather for a funeral, which can lead to further infections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of infection
Noun
  • The outbreak, centered in eastern DR Congo, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of the virus and marks the second-deadliest outbreak on record.
    — Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against the virus, according to the CDC, with children usually receiving their first dose at 12 to 15 months and a second at four to six years.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of virus
Noun
  • The study’s findings also highlight the need for physicians to be alert to early signs of disease and consider blood pressure treatment, even in younger people, according to Freeman.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Etzel noted that the order makes several significant changes, which include reducing the number of diseases targeted by childhood vaccines and separating the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine into individual shots.
    — Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Several iterations of the idea have since taken shape, expanding to refugees, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors with chronic illness.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The sources haven’t been identified for nine of the ongoing foodborne illness outbreaks and two of the ongoing Salmonella outbreaks.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of illness

Browse Nearby Words

contagious
contagious disease
contagious diseases
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Cite this Entry

“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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