epidemic 1 of 2

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

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epidemic

2 of 2

noun

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
Adjective
That said, in my opinion, there is one event that pushed the industry into a new phase—the AIDS epidemic. Tanmay Gupta, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Collins and other Republicans like Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were among those who raised concerns about cutting foreign assistance programs such as PEPFAR — the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief — aimed at combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 16 July 2025
Noun
The number of colleges cutting back programs, merging and closing has reached epidemic proportions. Scott White, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Many of the province’s early cases of COVID-19 were linked to pilgrims who had been in Iran, the world’s leading Shiite power and an early epidemic hot spot, as well as a regional antagonist to Riyadh. Geneive Abdo, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2020 See All Example Sentences for epidemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epidemic
Adjective
  • Highlife arose in the Fante coast of Ghana in the 19th century, where natives curated infectious polyrhythms through primarily brass instruments, local drums, guitars, the Akan Seprewa—some which derived from Caribbean soldiers and British military brass bands.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The rate of spread would be different based on how infectious the disease is and the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as the vaccination rates.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • During the pandemic, many workers at restaurants with less enlightened owners quit their jobs, Jayaraman noted, signalling their frustration with the low and erratic pay.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • North Korea has been slowly easing the curbs imposed during the pandemic and reopening its borders in phases.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • There have been three major eruptions at Yellowstone, according to NPS.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • The devastation following the volcano’s famous eruption in 79 CE is well-documented across multiple archeological sites at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and elsewhere.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • No one mentioned the annoying swarms of tiny biting midges that plague Scotland’s west coast in the summer.
    Angus MacKinnon, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Meanwhile, as advocacy groups wrangle to get answers, GWI continues to plague veterans.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • The fighting began last week after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • But as the Sunshine State was facing the same chronic shortage of homes plaguing the rest of the country, the explosion in demand resulted in house prices booming to unprecedented highs.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • While pestilence crept over the walls of cities and the countryside fell into desolation—many foreign conquerors of Europe knew how to fight and plunder but not to plow or sow—the monks preserved words.
    Bernd Roeck June 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
  • In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The returns represented an upswing from the previous year.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2025
  • Fish ride upswing into All-Star break: Marlins enter All-Star break on a 13-6 run that has lifted them from the NL East cellar to third place after Saturday’s 6-0 win in Baltimore on a gem by impossibly named pitcher Janson Junk.
    Greg Cote July 13, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Certain travel agencies have seen a decline in travel as the cost of living increases.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
  • The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Epidemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epidemic. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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