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
The vaccine will be using the same mRNA platform that Moderna used to develop its vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 The stock market has enjoyed robust growth during Lamont’s tenure, especially since the COVID pandemic, and those higher rates have allowed his administration to take maximum advantage of the surge. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Its approval has been met with skepticism due to scrutiny over mRNA technology stemming from anger over COVID-19 vaccine mandates during the pandemic and misinformation about the shot's safety. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic more than six years ago, and the public health emergency ended in the US more than three years ago. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 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
  • Fauci saw patients in the early days of the epidemic when no treatments were available.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • State media was forbidden from reporting on the epidemic, and details of hospital admissions and deaths were suppressed.
    — David J. Hunter, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of epidemic
Adjective
  • However, du Plessis identifies the crucial challenge of expanding beyond the South Asian diaspora, advocating for widespread visibility in American culture and integrating cricket into schools to foster new fans and local talent.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Although temperatures will fluctuate in the coming days, there is no widespread or lasting break from the heat in sight, with highs well into the 30s Celsius (86-104 F) expected across much of Japan.
    — Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of widespread
Adjective
  • Instead, lawmakers put a Band-Aid on a pervasive problem for optics, rather than addressing the problem at its core.
    — Alaina Hampton, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • What may have seemed acceptable in the early consumer software days looks different after more than a decade of hard lessons about social media's impact on youth and as AI use becomes pervasive.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of pervasive
Adjective
  • These have been found to typically be most prevalent among African and South Asian nations.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For example, as McKinsey notes, one open banking trend, account-to-account (A2A) payments, which moves payments directly between the buyer and the seller, is becoming increasingly prevalent.
    — Serhii Zakharov, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of prevalent
Adjective
  • This somewhat surprised me given the general expense of things these days.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Revenue from licensing of shows and films to streaming platforms has softened amid a general industry downturn over the past few years, while other categories of residuals have continued their longer downward trend.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • This is a more bullish take than the German bank's previous forecast on June 23, written when inflation fears were rife.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Tensions are also rife over the mine’s water consumption and the terms of its community-benefit agreement.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rife
Adjective
  • The concierge will arrange special tours and experiences; the hotel's generous public spaces are ideal for weddings and events.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This is not the first time that Grande has had to deal with public scrutiny of her body.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 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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pandemic
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Cite this Entry

“Pandemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemic. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pandemic

Nglish: Translation of pandemic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pandemic

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