PANDEMIC Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

pandemic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of pandemic

as in epidemic

medical an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world The 1918 flu pandemic claimed millions of lives. the AIDS pandemic

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pandemic

2 of 2

adjective

as in widespread

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Dissimilar 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 pandemic

Noun

The invocation came amid years of congressional investigations and hearings scrutinizing his handling of the pandemic. — John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 During the pandemic, with people stuck at home, buying shifted online and by phone, and sales did tremendously well across all categories. — Hok-Hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Since the pandemic, traditional lecture attendance has cratered, but active learning has been shown to significantly improve both turnout and long-term retention. — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Which meant that masks were always going to be useless, as pre-pandemic planning research had already confirmed. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pandemic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pandemic

Noun

Drugmakers found a promising cure for the obesity epidemic and their stocks were rewarded for it.

— Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Although annual overdose deaths have declined since peaking in 2022, the epidemic remains one of the nation's deadliest public health crises, fueling years of litigation against drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacy chains.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of epidemic

Adjective

Given the then-widespread assumption that the Greek and Roman past was superior to the present in all aspects of life (except perhaps religion), Renaissance scholars and creators strove to imitate classical antiquity.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Washington recently took a stake in a firm — run by a former Venezuelan government contractor who faces widespread corruption accusations — in an effort to tap the world’s largest oil reserves and tame fuel prices at home.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of widespread

Adjective

In outline, these are elegant Bond-villain machines for faceless, leaderless, pervasive espionage and assassination, the stuff of paranoid nightmares and stochastic violence.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
There have been growing complaints about blight at the site, including homeless people living there, pervasive graffiti and skateboarders using it as a playground.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pervasive

Adjective

The California Youth Tobacco Survey found that in 2023, vapes were the most prevalent tobacco product among high school students.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, is prevalent in coastal waters, including brackish water where fresh water mixes with salty water.

— Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevalent

Adjective

Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

In a country where poverty is rife and malnutrition strikes the most vulnerable, such income losses can be critical.

— ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
The impetus for this work, according to the researchers, is that drug-resistant bacteria are rife and growing.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rife

Adjective

The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.

— Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of prevailing

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pancakes

pandemic

pandemics

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“Pandemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pandemic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pandemic

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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A Guide to Coronavirus-Related Words

'Pandemic' vs. 'Epidemic' vs. 'Endemic'

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