as in plague
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc
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Recent Examples of pestilence
Famines, pestilence, crusades, and war.
—
Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Being omnivorous, with a very long and efficient gut, humans coped better than other mammals in the face of pestilence and drought, the better to ensure our survival.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Being omnivorous, with a very long and efficient gut, humans coped better than other mammals in the face of pestilence and drought, the better to ensure our survival.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilence
plague
Noun
-
Bus accidents plague Nepal’s mountain regions, due to narrow roads, poorly maintained vehicles and difficult terrain.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
When viewers first met Robby, the man was a nervous wreck, lost in inescapable memories of the ER’s plague years.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilence. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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