1
as in infectious
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
the little girl's giggles were epidemic, and soon the entire gathering was laughing
Synonyms & Similar 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 epidemic
Zach Dyer, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Being homeless was perceived, by themselves and by others, as an individual failure, the result of a series of poor choices, ignoring the fact that a tech boom had priced many people out of their homes and a drug epidemic had ravaged many parts of the city.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Gary Stix, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
The number of colleges cutting back programs, merging and closing has reached epidemic proportions.
—Scott White, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epidemic
Noun
Hurley said older friends and acquaintances who survived the AIDS epidemic shared the horror of living through a time when there was no effective treatment or drugs for prevention.
—Zach Dyer, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Being homeless was perceived, by themselves and by others, as an individual failure, the result of a series of poor choices, ignoring the fact that a tech boom had priced many people out of their homes and a drug epidemic had ravaged many parts of the city.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
More than two millennia later, health officials are paying new attention to this old condition for a startling reason: myopia has reached epidemic levels worldwide.
—Gary Stix, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
The number of colleges cutting back programs, merging and closing has reached epidemic proportions.
—Scott White, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epidemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epidemic
Noun
-
Like schools across the country, Epic received federal relief funds to operate during the pandemic.—
Jennifer Palmer,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mortgage rates began to climb as inflation spiked coming out of the global pandemic, with the consumer price index hitting a four-decade high in 2022.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Following the dramatic discovery, Walker discovers that the long-ago murder is somehow linked to the conspiracy behind the arms dealer and the mysterious volcanic eruption at Crater Lake.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The activity periodically forms a dome over the main vent, which eventually collapses, causing an eruption.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His infectious enthusiasm for books opened doors to other roles, like being named the new host of Reading Rainbow and the resident librarian at PBS.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Dustin — a fan-favorite from the very first episode because of his infectious optimism and unapologetic nerdiness — is no exception.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The historical fiction story follows the Shakespeares’ love story as they wed and have three children, but tragedy strikes when their only son, 11-year-old Hamnet, dies from the plague.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the political sphere—an arena that’s increasingly entangled with social media—figures such as Elon Musk decry empathy as an emasculating plague.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My research explores how well-meaning, but draconian, efforts to correct the abusive opioid prescription promotion practices of drug companies were followed by a nationwide explosion of overdoses from illicit opioids, again in the absence of equivalent efforts to make opioid treatment available.—
Charles LeBaron,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The company weathered a near-disastrous explosion at its rocket ranch and continued to expand its ambitions.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Famines, pestilence, crusades, and war.—
Greg Grandin
September 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The South Bay gained 400 jobs in November, an upswing that ended four consecutive months of job losses.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But given that global demand for coal, oil, and gas all hit record highs in 2025, and aren’t going away anytime soon, there are still lots of strong bets to make in anticipation of an eventual upswing in the fossil fuel price cycle.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
When air temperature increases in the summer, a spider plant’s soil can dry out faster.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The weather is a major factor leading to price increases for the top two increases in our cart.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Epidemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epidemic. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
