contagious

adjective

kən-ˈtā-jəs How to pronounce contagious (audio)
Definition of contagiousnext
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

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 This marks the first losses related to the highly contagious virus within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 35 years. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Measles is highly contagious respiratory virus that can spread easily between people, especially if they are not vaccinated. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Cases of measles, one of the most contagious viruses known to medicine, are on the rise in the United States. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Though biological weapons are banned by international law, a handful of countries, including Russia, Syria, and North Korea, have developed and hoarded contagious pathogens. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
  1. infectious
  2. infective
Adjective
  • The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of infectious
Adjective
  • The team confirmed that those eggs developed into infective third-stage larvae.
    — Jay Kakade August 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of infective

Phrases Containing contagious

Browse Nearby Words

contagions
contagious
contagious disease
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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