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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
The drop in vaccination coverage comes as the U.S. grapples with rising cases of the measles— one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 31 July 2025
Measles is among the most contagious diseases known.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases to affect humans, and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
That could be especially helpful with a highly contagious disease like measles, in which one infected person can quickly spread the virus to as many as 18 others.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 31 July 2025
Measles is among the most contagious diseases known.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases to affect humans, and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
That could be especially helpful with a highly contagious disease like measles, in which one infected person can quickly spread the virus to as many as 18 others.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease
Noun
-
While some infections cause little more than irritation, others could lead to vision loss or require a corneal transplant.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
People have developed Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, infections.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Most countries that are polio-free today used this vaccine to stop the virus, including India — long thought to be the most difficult place to end polio.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Septic shock results from a severe infection with a germ (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite).—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Water plants in the morning so foliage dries quickly to reduce the risk of foliar diseases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Myths, folk tales, and negative media coverage mean people often link these flying mammals to vampires or blame them for disease outbreaks.—
Anna Tunkova,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Wide receiver Jalen Coker (illness) stayed at the team hotel instead of attending the joint practice.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Most people infected with West Nile do not feel sick, the CDC says, though about 1 in 5 people develop a fever and other flu-like symptoms and 1 in about 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share