1
as in frail
chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health
a sickly foal that seemed to catch everything that the other horses had
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2
as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body
lungs scarred by years of exposure to the sickly air of the coal mines
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Recent Examples of sickly
His advocates contend Roberson’s sickly toddler, Nikki Curtis, died of double pneumonia that had progressed to sepsis, her illness further exacerbated by a combination of medicines now seen as unsuitable for children.
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Dakin Andone, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
Seeing their sickly child’s newfound obsession awaken within him a vigor and excitement for learning, Roosevelt’s parents encouraged his passion for natural history.
—Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024
Anyway, the pale and sickly Antonio (Grande) is the son of Rudolph and Samberg, blessed with a heavenly singing voice.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
The Collegeville outfit came with the mask of a scowling pirate with an open eye-patch that looked more like a black eye and a sickly green pallor that would shiver the timbers of the saltiest sea dog.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sickly 
Dakin Andone, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024
Seeing their sickly child’s newfound obsession awaken within him a vigor and excitement for learning, Roosevelt’s parents encouraged his passion for natural history.
—Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024
Anyway, the pale and sickly Antonio (Grande) is the son of Rudolph and Samberg, blessed with a heavenly singing voice.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
The Collegeville outfit came with the mask of a scowling pirate with an open eye-patch that looked more like a black eye and a sickly green pallor that would shiver the timbers of the saltiest sea dog.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sickly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sickly
Adjective
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His frail body was found in that room on Dec. 22 by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, who were called to the home by the boy's father.Noe Padilla, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
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Nevertheless, there are those in the Israeli establishment, including reportedly the head of the Mossad, who are pushing for an attack on economically frail Iran.Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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New Zealand stone flies are evolving away from mimicking poisonous insects because deforestation has left them nothing to mimic.Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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The bacteria survived, protected and fed by the fungus — and the fungus scored a poisonous partner.Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Chinese economy slowed in the third quarter of this year, its property market remains in a fragile state and consumer confidence hasn’t quite recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic.Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
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Watch on Deadline The result is a slickly polished slice of mainstream entertainment that portrays the city’s legal system as a precious yet fragile institution.James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These small but hazardous items, along with other forms of plastic, can contain harmful chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can have toxic effects on marine life.Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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It is known to be toxic in high doses, and low-level exposure may increase the risk of certain cancers.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In a society where adults often come to work sick, teaching teens to take care of themselves is important.Maya Dollarhide, Parents, 17 Jan. 2025
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Other logistics issues — people getting sick, for example — add time.Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The unhealthful effects of autocracy remain robust even when accounting for economic differences and when excluding Venezuela and its collapsing health-care system.Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2020
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However, communities in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains were still experiencing unhealthful air quality, according to the air district.Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Its woman-on-the-run story is weak at times, not quite engaging enough to get through the constant death and destruction.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
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China’s persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Air quality concerns Unfortunately, Zehr said any smoke being output by smoldering fires, when combined with light winds, can lead to pollutants being trapped rather than dispersed, creating unhealthy air quality concerns.Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
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But without self-reflection, old relationship patterns can quietly resurface, pulling you back into familiar and unhealthy dynamics.Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sickly
Cite this Entry
“Sickly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sickly. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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