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

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2
as in spreading
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others the enthusiasm of the new club members was contagious

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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 Her refusal to give up and positive attitude is contagious. Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 15 May 2025 Public health officials in Washington state are warning residents that a Canadian traveler who was contagious with measles visited several public locations, including the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025 Hitting is contagious, and sometimes approaches by osmosis pay off. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025 People welcome your upbeat energy; enthusiasm is contagious. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for contagious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious
Adjective
  • There’s a sense of affection in that scene and the rest of the movie that is just so infectious.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 May 2025
  • The state health department said four people diagnosed with measles attended classes while infectious at a Williston elementary school, middle school and high school.
    DEVI SHASTRI, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Contagious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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