pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpe-stə-lən(t)s 
1
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating
especially
: bubonic plague
2
: something that is destructive or pernicious
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Examples of pestilence in a Sentence
After years of war and pestilence, few people remained in the city.
the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc
Recent Examples on the Web
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Email marketing has become an inescapable pestilence, causing anxiety as consumers try to discern which emails are legitimate and which may be phishing attempts.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
My advice has nothing to do with conflict or pestilence.
—Paul Thornton, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024
Published in the aftermath of the Black Death, Boccaccio’s frame narrative features 10 wealthy young people (and some of their servants) sheltering in the countryside from the pestilence ravaging Florence.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence 
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Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Email marketing has become an inescapable pestilence, causing anxiety as consumers try to discern which emails are legitimate and which may be phishing attempts.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
My advice has nothing to do with conflict or pestilence.
—Paul Thornton, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024
Published in the aftermath of the Black Death, Boccaccio’s frame narrative features 10 wealthy young people (and some of their servants) sheltering in the countryside from the pestilence ravaging Florence.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence
Articles Related to pestilence
Dictionary Entries Near pestilence
Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilence. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that spreads quickly and is often fatal
especially
: bubonic plague
Medical Definition
pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating
specifically
: bubonic plague
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