as in infections
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 diseases
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine.
—
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
By this time, smallpox and other contagious diseases brought to the continent by the Europeans had begun to spread among the Aztecs, reducing their capital city’s population by 40 percent in 1520 alone.
—
Jordana Rosenfeld,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
17 June 2026
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is among the top concerns, sparking a warning this week from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.
—
Lauren Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Those threats include measles — one of the world’s most contagious diseases — as well as respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and influenza.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases.
—
Ashley Abramson,
Washington Post,
23 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—
Katie Silver,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
By this time, smallpox and other contagious diseases brought to the continent by the Europeans had begun to spread among the Aztecs, reducing their capital city’s population by 40 percent in 1520 alone.
—
Jordana Rosenfeld,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
17 June 2026
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is among the top concerns, sparking a warning this week from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.
—
Lauren Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Those threats include measles — one of the world’s most contagious diseases — as well as respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and influenza.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases.
—
Ashley Abramson,
Washington Post,
23 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—
Katie Silver,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious diseases
Noun
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In the 1940s, the widespread use of penicillin allowed for the treatment of diseases that were once fatal.
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Minerals such as calcium, manganese, and fluoride support bone health, helping to prevent or manage diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
Noun
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The cocktail neutralized viruses representing both major Nipah strains as well as Hendra virus, demonstrating broad activity across multiple members of the henipavirus family.
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There is no treatment for these viruses, and the plants should be removed and discarded to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Cite this Entry
“Contagious diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20diseases. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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