1
as in infectious
capable of being passed by physical contact from one person to another
chicken pox, measles, German measles, and other contagious diseases
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
the enthusiasm of the new club members was contagious
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contagious
Here are a few key facts about measles, according to the Tennessee Department of Health:
Measles is highly contagious and potentially fatal.
—
Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
When leaders respond from center, their presence becomes contagious.
—Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Over the weekend, the tally of measles cases reached 1,281, setting a new case record since the highly contagious viral disease was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Because the measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours and is highly contagious, anyone who was a patient, staff member, or visitor to the unit during that period may have been exposed.
—Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
When leaders respond from center, their presence becomes contagious.
—Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Over the weekend, the tally of measles cases reached 1,281, setting a new case record since the highly contagious viral disease was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Because the measles virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours and is highly contagious, anyone who was a patient, staff member, or visitor to the unit during that period may have been exposed.
—Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
-
Highlife arose in the Fante coast of Ghana in the 19th century, where natives curated infectious polyrhythms through primarily brass instruments, local drums, guitars, the Akan Seprewa—some which derived from Caribbean soldiers and British military brass bands.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
The rate of spread would be different based on how infectious the disease is and the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as the vaccination rates.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.—
Daniel Taylor,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
His provisional cause of death was given as multi-organ failure due to infective endocarditis, a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.—
Daniel Taylor,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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