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
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
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy after the uncovering of the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
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
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy after the uncovering of the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pestilence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestilence
plague
Noun
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Back-to-back championships by the Dodgers could embolden MLB and add to a chorus of fans who see a cap as a panacea for the plague of big-money teams monopolizing championships over the past decade.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Wealthier countries, such as the United States, which have significant plastic consumption, do not have waste management problems like those that plague nations where the ocean plastic pollution is coming from.—
Daren Bakst,
Boston Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestilence. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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