pestilence
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for pestilence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A deadly, widespread disease; a plague.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome").
Full origin of pestilence →Frequently asked questions
What does “pestilence” mean?
The word “pestilence” means a deadly, widespread disease; a plague. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, literary word for a deadly epidemic.
How do you pronounce “pestilence”?
“Pestilence” is pronounced PEHS-tuh-luhns (/ˈpɛstələn(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “pestilence” in a sentence?
Here is “pestilence” used in a sentence: “The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence.”
What part of speech is “pestilence”?
“Pestilence” is a noun.
Where does the word “pestilence” come from?
The word “pestilence” comes from Latin. From Old French, ultimately from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome").