pestilence
word
Definition
A deadly, infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills many people; sometimes used more generally for anything that causes widespread harm or destruction.
Usage & Nuances
Highly formal, literary, or historical term—often used in old texts or dramatic contexts. Most common for plagues in medieval times, but can be used metaphorically for anything causing widespread harm. Not used for minor illnesses.
Example Sentences
The pestilence killed thousands in the village.
basic
Doctors tried to stop the pestilence from spreading.
basic
A pestilence swept across the land long ago.
basic
Some feared the drought was as deadly as a pestilence.
natural
The old poem described war and pestilence destroying kingdoms.
natural
He called social media a modern pestilence, spreading chaos everywhere.
natural