as in epidemic
medical
an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world
The 1918 flu pandemic claimed millions of lives. the AIDS pandemic
Related Words
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as in widespread
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pandemic
Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The event took a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in May 2022.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 20 May 2026
After the meeting, the committee agreed that the outbreak did not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, which was applied to the global COVID-19 outbreak.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Noun
Federal authorities are examining whether Chinese companies deliberately restricted the world's production of storage containers for the shipping trade just before the COVID-19 pandemic began six years ago, sources with knowledge of the probe told CBS News.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The event took a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in May 2022.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Adjective
First, the explosion of remote work during the pandemic strained ties between colleagues who once saw each other in the office every day.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 20 May 2026
After the meeting, the committee agreed that the outbreak did not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, which was applied to the global COVID-19 outbreak.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pandemic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pandemic
Noun
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While defending their work, WHO officials were careful not to criticize the DRC directly, noting the multiple challenges that have complicated identifying and responding to this epidemic.—
Andrew Joseph,
STAT,
20 May 2026
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After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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The policy meant the top biological female finishers were designated co-champions, leading to widespread images of Hernandez sharing the top step of the medal podium with female athletes.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Less than 15 years ago, every top professional sports league opposed widespread legalization of sports betting.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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But there was pervasive uncertainty about whose land would be affected, and how.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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This pervasive tendency to lean into the performance advantages of modern powertrains and driver aids is sending the wrong message, IIHS argues, which may actually contribute to aggressive driving and, ultimately, to more-frequent crashes and speeding infractions.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Despite North Korea’s hard-line approach, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has tried to improve relations across the demilitarized zone and decrease tensions that were prevalent under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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For families Families are prevalent here, but not in a screaming-kids-everywhere kind of way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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The general manager praised Levshunov as the total package after that draft.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Borgonzoni, who oversees the country’s cinema department and is a staunch local film and TV industry advocate, underlined that all IGS screenings and masterclasses are open to the general audience free of charge.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The camp was rife with illnesses, including cholera, and Ibrahim became severely sick.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Like so many historical myths, this swashbuckling tale of pirates, court accusations, and gossip, which frames the rags-to-riches emergence of this American family, is rife with historical fiction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Glossip has received public support both nationally and internationally, including from celebrities like Kim Kardashian.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Their last public appearance as a couple was in November at Italy’s Torino Film Festival, according to E!—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pandemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemic. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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