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Pestilence: alternatives and connections

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Pestilence

Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.

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47 useful connections shown 8 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 1

Influence 76% connected

A flowing in or upon; influx.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Derivationally related 4

Pestiferous 74% connected

Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Pestiferous 74% connected

Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Pestilential 74% connected

Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Pestilential 74% connected

Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Synonym 3

Canker 92% connected

A corroding or sloughing ulcer; esp. a spreading gangrenous ulcer or collection of ulcers in or about the mouth; -- called also water canker, canker…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Pest 92% connected

A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Plague 92% connected

That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Acquired immunity noun · 78% connection

immunity to a particular disease that is not innate but has been acquired during life; immunity can be acquired by the development of…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Alexiteric noun · 78% connection

A preservative against contagious and infectious diseases, and the effects of poison in general.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Anthrax noun · 78% connection

An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed to the presence of a rod-shaped bacterium (Bacillus anthracis), the spores o…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Catching adjective · 78% connection

Infectious; contagious.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Contagiousness noun · 78% connection

The state or condition of being contagious, easily transmitted to others.; "Without factoring in the contagiousness of a disease, we w…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Dengue noun · 78% connection

A specific epidemic disease attended with high fever, cutaneous eruption, and severe pains in the head and limbs, resembling those of…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Devastation noun · 78% connection

The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Disinfect verb · 78% connection

To free from infectious or contagious matter; to destroy putrefaction; to purify; to make innocuous.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Dragonnade noun · 78% connection

The severe persecution of French Protestants under Louis XIV., by an armed force, usually of dragoons; hence, a rapid and devastating…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Epidemic noun · 78% connection

Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Epidemical adjective · 78% connection

Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Epidemy noun · 78% connection

An epidemic disease.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Epizootic adjective · 78% connection

Of the nature of a disease which attacks many animals at the same time; -- corresponding to epidemic diseases among men.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Fomes noun · 78% connection

Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs; as, woolen clothes are…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Infect verb · 78% connection

To affect with infectious disease; to communicate infection to; as, infected with the plague.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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Infection noun · 78% connection

That which infects, or causes the communicated disease; any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by which an infectious disease is…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Infectious adjective · 78% connection

Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clo…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
Definition Compare
Locusting p. a. · 78% connection

Swarming and devastating like locusts.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: specifically, disease, known, plague, hence.
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