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
Best protection against measles Measles is highly contagious and can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the CDC said.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The disease is highly contagious and spreads through coughing or close contact with someone who is sick.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Natalia, in her earliest interviews, from the foundation of the company, has been saying that dictatorship is contagious.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The teacher’s passion was so contagious that my son caught the fever.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The disease is highly contagious and spreads through coughing or close contact with someone who is sick.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Natalia, in her earliest interviews, from the foundation of the company, has been saying that dictatorship is contagious.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The teacher’s passion was so contagious that my son caught the fever.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
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Hernandez said that Stribling has an infectious smile and personality that draws people to him.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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If some of the stuff in his lungs was infectious, maybe he could be treated and get home.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 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 2 May. 2026.
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