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
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
Screwworm is not a contagious disease that spreads from animal to animal.
—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
4 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
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Screwworm is not a contagious disease that spreads from animal to animal.
—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
4 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
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease
Noun
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In its most recent report, the UN said such infections had hit more than 80% of all displacement areas.
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Evan Longoria was voted to start in 2009 but couldn’t play in the game due to finger infection, then won the election again in 2010 and made the start.
Noun
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Thorough cooking kills the virus, so cook eggs and meat all the way through and skip raw milk.
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Testing of saliva later confirmed infection with a bat rabies virus variant.
Noun
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The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment, according to the United Nations.
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The rabies vaccine, if administered immediately after exposure, is nearly 100% successful at preventing the disease, according to the World Health Organization.
Noun
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If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
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Despite some athletes reporting illness afterward, no clear link to the water was confirmed, and the century-long psychological barrier to bathing in the Seine was finally broken.
Cite this Entry
“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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