as in infections
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 diseases
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
One of the most contagious diseases known to humanity, measles can be especially dangerous for babies and young children.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Researchers consider measles among the most contagious diseases, and the virus may remain active for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
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
One of the most contagious diseases known to humanity, measles can be especially dangerous for babies and young children.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Researchers consider measles among the most contagious diseases, and the virus may remain active for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
—Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious diseases
Noun
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Any time people from around the world gather together, the risk of certain diseases goes up.—
Alice Park,
Time,
12 June 2026
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Water shortages, limited hygiene and extreme heat and humidity continue to accelerate the spread of these diseases.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Tomatoes are susceptible to many viruses, such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus, that cause leaves to twist and curl.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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Many viruses can persist in semen for years, says Steven Bradfute, an immunologist at the University of New Mexico, and whether the pathogen remains infectious can vary from virus to virus.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contagious diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20diseases. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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