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
Related Words
Relevance
as in widespread
Related Words
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 pandemic
Juliana Kim, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Other issues that have been discussed in the negotiations are post-pandemic absenteeism rates among cast members, with Equity demanding that producers hire more swings and the League seeking other ways to address the issue.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Nino Paoli, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
The Eternal City’s historic Cinema Europa, which had been shut down during the pandemic, will get a makeover and become a space open to education, research and the promotion of national film heritage.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Noun
Guard members were also on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic — staffing emergency call centers, working at food banks and removing the dead from hospitals.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Other issues that have been discussed in the negotiations are post-pandemic absenteeism rates among cast members, with Equity demanding that producers hire more swings and the League seeking other ways to address the issue.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The hybrid schedule, which was also established during the pandemic, won’t be altered.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
The Eternal City’s historic Cinema Europa, which had been shut down during the pandemic, will get a makeover and become a space open to education, research and the promotion of national film heritage.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pandemic
Noun
-
Even people far from the battlefield—on the Pacific Coast, in Spanish Mexico, and in the Caribbean—suffered from the war through famine or epidemic.—
Sarah Botstein,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The children's book comes during what’s being dubbed a loneliness epidemic for all ages, including children.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The broad international effort has built widespread support for the latest ceasefire and raised hopes that this one will last.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Part of this is widespread success as an employer comes from a comprehensive set of structured employee benefits and support programs.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Today, WiFi networks are found in nearly every home, office, restaurant, and public space, making this potential risk pervasive.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Many reckoned with its ideals; pervasive talk of liberty held particular portent for women’s lives.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The scam calls are so prevalent, especially toward senior citizens, that Milwaukee's sheriff's office has kept a warning for them at the top of its public service announcement web page and developed a video in November 2024 on what people should expect.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The study also identified PET, PS (polystyrene), and PVC as the most prevalent types in coastal regions.—
Miguel A. Torres,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For more on the Cleveland Browns and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
-
How the long-term contracts for Karlsson, Tomáš Hertl and Marc-Edouard Vlasic under former general manager Doug Wilson put off a necessary rebuild, then backing the strip-mining job current GM Mike Grier has been doing since his 2022 hiring.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rumors have been rife for quite some time now, but finally, the company has confirmed that production has started for its muscle cruiser.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Oct. 2025
-
And finally… Frustration at Sheffield United is rife; immeasurable, almost.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While malls generally prohibit firearms of any kind inside, businesses along public streets face a different situation.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
According to Google, more than 100 public universities have already signed up for the program.—
Sydney Sasser,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pandemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemic. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share