1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
suffered from a mysterious illness that left her weak and tired all the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sickness
the condition of not being in good health
prone to illness as a child, he was sent to a western ranch with the expectation that it would toughen him up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of illness
The San Francisco Chronicle reported last year that Riley was still faking illnesses even while in prison, with records indicating she was taken to the emergency room 24 times in the first 18 months of her sentence.
—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
The pair developed a close friendship which eventually evolved into a relationship that turned tragic when Xander stepped up to take care of Dawn through a degenerative spiritual illness.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
An unknown illness is killing people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Clark said the Naval Special Warfare Command reported 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, among Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combat crewman candidates at the Coronado base from January 2019 to May 2023.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
The pair developed a close friendship which eventually evolved into a relationship that turned tragic when Xander stepped up to take care of Dawn through a degenerative spiritual illness.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
An unknown illness is killing people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Clark said the Naval Special Warfare Command reported 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, among Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combat crewman candidates at the Coronado base from January 2019 to May 2023.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
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Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease that can cause serious health complications, including death, especially in children under 5.—
Jaden Amos,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
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And if that wasn’t bad enough, in extremely rare circumstances, neurologic fallout from measles is delayed, showing up 7 to 10 years post-infection as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a degenerative disease that is ultimately fatal, Dr. Lovins says.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Officials have placed the facility under quarantine, but the cattle have not shown signs of sickness.—
Liam Hibbert | The Center Square Contributor,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
16 Feb. 2025
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Botulism is a rare, but dangerous sickness that causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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James has consistently been on the injury report because of a left foot ailment since early December.—
Khobi Price,
Orange County Register,
18 Feb. 2025
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The pontiff was admitted to the hospital in Rome on Friday for treatment for bronchitis and medical examinations, the Vatican said, the latest in a string of ailments that have raised concerns about the 88-year-old pontiff’s health.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For years, watchdogs have noted tech companies have the power to control their platforms’ misinformation, hate speech, and other rampant ills that fester on social media.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
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Many patients have literacy and language barriers, or wrestle with social ills like housing insecurity, abuse and poverty.—
Katie Benner,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Severe headaches that set on suddenly, fever, and mobility problems are signs to seek immediate care.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
24 Feb. 2025
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In addition to cankers and fevers, patients may get swollen lymph nodes.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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