as in infection
sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another
Parents are advised to vaccinate their children against contagious diseases.
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Recent Examples of contagious disease
Clemson University reports its first case of measles on campus as the contagious disease has quickly spread through South Carolina.
—
NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
The highly contagious disease that can turn deadly or cause lifelong health issues has spilled from Spartanburg County, South Carolina to the Tar Heel state.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
Coverage for key vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) and polio has dropped below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to state health officials.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
The highly contagious disease that can turn deadly or cause lifelong health issues has spilled from Spartanburg County, South Carolina to the Tar Heel state.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
Coverage for key vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) and polio has dropped below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to state health officials.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious disease
Noun
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Sharma said that the presence of fever suggests a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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This matters because chronically high blood sugar levels can impair immune cell function and weaken the body’s ability to fight infection, Shah says.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In severe cases, the virus can attack parts of the brain that control basic life functions like eye movement, heart rate and blood pressure, causing permanent damage.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, the virus can cause fever and brain inflammation.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In those participants, the disease was not associated with any changes in brain size or evidence of damage.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Horton took the time to promote a charity seeking to raise funds for the organization Pancreatic Cancer UK, while also sharing a sweet tribute to the late Harry Potter star, who died from the disease in 2016 at age 69.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pets could be impacted Additionally, products contaminated with filth, rodent excreta, and rodent urine may cause illness in the animals that consume the food or humans that are in contact with the products.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kim Wood, the NFL's first full-time strength and conditioning coach, died Tuesday after battling a brief illness.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20disease. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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