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
Precious, an advocate for equitable access to medicines, and Anne-Claire, a respected global health diplomat, together helped ensure the world would be better protected from future pandemics.
—
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Time, 15 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
Experts are unanimous in their prediction that more pandemics are coming.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
But now, hurricanes and global pandemics be damned, Little Dix Bay is back and better than ever.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Similarly, over time, markets have recovered from past wars, recessions and pandemics, even though the bounceback wasn’t always so rapid.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
The restaurant has been owned by a handful of different families who navigated world wars, prohibition, and global pandemics, moving locations just twice but always staying on Decatur Street.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Time, 15 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
Experts are unanimous in their prediction that more pandemics are coming.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
But now, hurricanes and global pandemics be damned, Little Dix Bay is back and better than ever.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Similarly, over time, markets have recovered from past wars, recessions and pandemics, even though the bounceback wasn’t always so rapid.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
The restaurant has been owned by a handful of different families who navigated world wars, prohibition, and global pandemics, moving locations just twice but always staying on Decatur Street.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pandemics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemics. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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