pandemic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pandemicnext
as in epidemic
medical an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world The 1918 flu pandemic claimed millions of lives. the AIDS pandemic

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pandemic

2 of 2

adjective

as in widespread

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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 pandemic
Noun
After the pandemic, Bryan Sheffield’s top geologist from Parsley again raised the Beetaloo. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 The property, which takes up residence in an 18th-century palazzo, looks fresh-faced and gorgeous after a multi-year and multi-phase renovation executed through the peak of the pandemic. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Under the hot Austin, Texas, sun in the summer of 2020, three future NFL players escaped the confines of pandemic restrictions to train together at a local facility. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 The pandemic years slowed the project’s development, but granted the creative team more time to finesse the details of the adaptation. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pandemic
  1. epidemic
  2. widespread
  3. pervasive
  4. prevalent
  5. general
  6. rife
  7. public
  8. prevailing
Noun
  • The story of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic won the Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Due in large part to the opioid epidemic, injection drug use is now the primary risk factor for new hepatitis C infections in the United States.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • There also remained no claim of responsibility for Saturday's attack on Riyadh airport, though the Houthis at times have kept silent when an attack brought widespread international condemnation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Some 356,000 remained without power from the storm, which caused widespread damage and at least four deaths.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of widespread
Adjective
  • Sandy had spent much of the deployment deliberately avoiding Facebook because rumors about missile attacks and the ship’s condition were pervasive.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
  • On these devices, Alexa Plus appears to be nearly as pervasive as Gemini or Siri on other tablets, and that’s precisely the point.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pervasive
Adjective
  • That the current surge in antisemitism is so prevalent in the United States should weigh heavily on our national conscience.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The prevalent color is yellow-gold, and Bulgari has shifted from taking a product-line approach in its in-store organization and imagery to an overarching brand approach.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevalent
Adjective
  • Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Davide Sgariboldi, general manager at Euroitalia, said that causes excitement.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • In a time where hatred and division are rife, this is a festival of love.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • According to Rowbottom, Jumbo’s is rife for literary inspiration.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rife
Adjective
  • Macedo wrote a letter to Steve Kawa, the chair of the authority’s board, ahead of the meeting saying that Choudri had misused taxpayer money and abused public trust.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In Taiwan, telecom and media companies have formed joint funds with a public agency.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    — Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prevailing

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Cite this Entry

“Pandemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemic. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pandemic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pandemic

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