as in viruses
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 contagions
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.
—
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The lack of information surrounding outbreaks is a new and troubling trend among local and state officials nationwide, according to health advocates and lawyers who specialize in tracking foodborne illnesses and other environmental contagions.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
This Halloween, step into stories where science meets terror, where contagions kill, landscapes devour explorers, and technology crushes the human soul.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Both also blamed those who were not responsible, traded in the language of contagions and moral certitude, and believed that controlling the medium could solve the problem — or, at the very least, not deepen the problem further.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The lack of information surrounding outbreaks is a new and troubling trend among local and state officials nationwide, according to health advocates and lawyers who specialize in tracking foodborne illnesses and other environmental contagions.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
This Halloween, step into stories where science meets terror, where contagions kill, landscapes devour explorers, and technology crushes the human soul.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Both also blamed those who were not responsible, traded in the language of contagions and moral certitude, and believed that controlling the medium could solve the problem — or, at the very least, not deepen the problem further.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagions
Noun
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All the vaccines available for children this year protect against three different influenza viruses (two A viruses and one B virus).—
Dr. Kristina Bryant,
Boston Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
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And a third found that the medication may have a broader antiviral effect against other respiratory viruses, including the influenza virus.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Upon Pharaoh ignoring the command to free the Israelites, 10 plagues were unleashed by God on Egypt and its people.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The team treats patients against a backdrop of all-too-common American societal plagues, from substance use disorder to medical bankruptcies and mass shootings.—
Jeffrey Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contagions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagions. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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