malady

noun

mal·​a·​dy ˈma-lə-dē How to pronounce malady (audio)
plural maladies
1
: a disease or disorder of the animal body
told by his physicians that he had a fatal maladyWilla Cather
2
: an unwholesome or disordered condition
poverty, homelessness, and other social maladies

Examples of malady in a Sentence

in the olden days people were always suffering from some unknown malady
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition to publishing studies, the MMWR keeps the country updated on outbreaks, poisonings, and maternal mortality, and provides surveillance data on cancer, heart disease, HIV, and other maladies. Amy Maxmen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025 As this news organization reported at the time, the book was intended to shine a light for those who are battling addiction and other maladies. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 Service members receiving care for such conditions occupied more hospital beds in 2023 than those being treated for any other malady, accounting for some 55% of these stays. Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jan. 2025 On a practical level, the cases generally start off as perfunctory and repetitive — some drug overdoses, some maladies impacting the unhoused community and lots of workplace injuries. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for malady 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maladie, from Anglo-French, from malade sick, from Latin male habitus in bad condition

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of malady was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near malady

Cite this Entry

“Malady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malady. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

malady

noun
mal·​a·​dy ˈmal-əd-ē How to pronounce malady (audio)
plural maladies
: a disease or disorder of the body or mind : ailment

Medical Definition

malady

noun
mal·​a·​dy ˈmal-əd-ē How to pronounce malady (audio)
plural maladies
: disease, sickness
a fatal malady

More from Merriam-Webster on malady

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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