as in epidemics
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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Recent Examples of pandemics
But there are also rising gas prices, global pandemics, and major incidents related to climate change.
—
Joan M. Cook, Time, 12 May 2026
On September 12, 2015, more than three dozen health experts and diplomats assembled at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, for a day-long conference on preparing for pandemics.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 9 May 2026
Cutting community healthcare workers also has implications for future preparedness for other pandemics, experts have warned.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Published in 1978, Tuchman’s history still feels current – there are pandemics, oligarchs, inequality, misinformation campaigns and endless warring, to name a few things that continue to bedevil us.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
And his description of borders being closed owing to pandemics sounds eerily like Covid.
—Daniel Moss, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
The Church of the Holy Speluchre has historically remained open to clergy even during major crises, including past wars and pandemics, making Palm Sunday’s restriction a rare flashpoint in already strained relations between Israel and the Vatican.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
More than a handful were around in 1994 when a work stoppage did what world wars and pandemics could not — cancel a World Series.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Joan M. Cook, Time, 12 May 2026
On September 12, 2015, more than three dozen health experts and diplomats assembled at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, for a day-long conference on preparing for pandemics.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 9 May 2026
Cutting community healthcare workers also has implications for future preparedness for other pandemics, experts have warned.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Published in 1978, Tuchman’s history still feels current – there are pandemics, oligarchs, inequality, misinformation campaigns and endless warring, to name a few things that continue to bedevil us.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
And his description of borders being closed owing to pandemics sounds eerily like Covid.
—Daniel Moss, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
The Church of the Holy Speluchre has historically remained open to clergy even during major crises, including past wars and pandemics, making Palm Sunday’s restriction a rare flashpoint in already strained relations between Israel and the Vatican.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
More than a handful were around in 1994 when a work stoppage did what world wars and pandemics could not — cancel a World Series.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pandemics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemics. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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