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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contagious
Redway recalled the story as contagious, an example that reverberated through a world of collapsing states.
—
Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Measles cases have increased in the United States as vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, allowing the highly contagious virus to spread in communities with lower immunization coverage.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The pair remembered their daughter as a bubbly and goofy child, with a contagious laugh, who was deeply devoted to her Christian faith.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Measles cases have increased in the United States as vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, allowing the highly contagious virus to spread in communities with lower immunization coverage.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The pair remembered their daughter as a bubbly and goofy child, with a contagious laugh, who was deeply devoted to her Christian faith.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
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It can also be spread through direct contact with infectious droplets.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Once Palmer signed on, Hughey and her team needed to find someone to match her infectious energy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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