as in virus
sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another
The rumors spread like a contagion.
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Recent Examples of contagion
Is the sound an airborne contagion, or something everyone could always hear or sense that’s only now being unbottled?
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Second, as the contagion breaks through, panic.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
To Neuvel and other critics, such portrayals romanticize euthanasia for mental illness, creating a risk of social contagion.
—Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
But instead of exploring the possibility and benefits of service to our fellow citizens, the editorial board goes straight to spreading panic like a contagion.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagion
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Second, as the contagion breaks through, panic.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
To Neuvel and other critics, such portrayals romanticize euthanasia for mental illness, creating a risk of social contagion.
—Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
But instead of exploring the possibility and benefits of service to our fellow citizens, the editorial board goes straight to spreading panic like a contagion.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagion
Noun
-
Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and often include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
On the one hand, the virus ensures that nothing will ever be the same again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Its buttery texture melts onto the lips, bypassing the drag and pull that plagues drier drugstore pencils.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
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The grain and food exports make $3 billion annually, according to 9 News, with experts warning that this latest plague could threaten Australia's output to neighboring countries.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The most common symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Derek Muller, an election law expert, suggests that scenario is little more than a fever dream of doomsday devotees and overly nervous Nellies.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contagion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagion. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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