superbug

noun

su·​per·​bug ˈsü-pər-ˌbəg How to pronounce superbug (audio)
: a pathogenic microorganism and especially a bacterium that has developed resistance to the medications normally used against it

Examples of superbug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to a new study published on The Lancet on Monday, Sept. 16, researchers have concluded that if measures are not taken, a superbug could be powerful enough to kill almost 2 million people every year by 2050. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024 It's billed as the first in-depth analysis of the global health impacts of antimicrobial resistance and reinforces earlier findings that superbugs can be more fatal than diseases like HIV/AIDS. Tina Reed, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024 The new paper is comprehensive and serves as another wake-up call about the need to combat superbugs. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024 Climate change is contributing to the rise of superbugs, new UN report says The researchers found that from 1990 to 2021, deaths from AMR fell more than 50% among children younger than 5 but increased more than 80% among adults 70 and older – trends that are forecast to continue. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for superbug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superbug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of superbug was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near superbug

Cite this Entry

“Superbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superbug. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

superbug

noun
su·​per·​bug ˈsü-pər-ˌbəg How to pronounce superbug (audio)
: a pathogenic microorganism and especially a bacterium that has developed resistance to the medications normally used against it
The rise of superbugs that can survive multiple antibiotics—such as MRSA, the notorious "flesh-eating bacterium"—has turned once-trivial infections into persistent problems.Valerie Ross, Discover
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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