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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contagious
The vet made a near-midnight house call to Cher’s hotel suite and determined the cur had a case of highly contagious sarcoptic mange.
—
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can lead to severe complications, including death.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Given the contagious nature of the airborne disease, measles cases in hospitals also require proper ventilation and isolation procedures, which add to costs.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Yet nationalism can be contagious, and charismatic leaders can take it in unpredictable directions.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can lead to severe complications, including death.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Given the contagious nature of the airborne disease, measles cases in hospitals also require proper ventilation and isolation procedures, which add to costs.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Yet nationalism can be contagious, and charismatic leaders can take it in unpredictable directions.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
-
Individuals are infectious four days prior to and four days after rash onset.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Individuals are likely infectious four days prior to and after rash onset.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share