as in illnesses
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
they caught a rare disease while they were traveling in Africa and were sick for weeks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of diseases
In the current era, the government health system might need to rely more on private health care facilities, especially to help tackle other surging diseases like malaria, already rising in Southern Africa.
—
Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Public health experts have widely credited the shots protecting against MMRV, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 for lowering the prevalence of diseases, but several ACIP members cast doubt over the safety and efficacy of the vaccines this week.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Over the past year, I increasingly have been asked to train our young doctors on how to recognize vaccine-preventable diseases that haven’t been seen in the United States in most of their lifetimes.
—Pia Pannaraj, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Fox News' Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in healthcare, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This can also create a breeding ground for unwanted pests and fungal diseases.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Scholar Rock at a glance Scholar Rock focuses on treatments for neuromuscular diseases.
—Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Vaccine confidence in the United States has fallen since the COVID pandemic — primarily thanks to misinformation — and this is having a real effect on communal immunity for preventable diseases like measles.
—Mackenzie France, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Though pears take at least three years and up to ten years to fruit, the advantage over apple trees is that they are not bothered by as many pests and diseases.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Brian Simpson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Public health experts have widely credited the shots protecting against MMRV, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 for lowering the prevalence of diseases, but several ACIP members cast doubt over the safety and efficacy of the vaccines this week.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Over the past year, I increasingly have been asked to train our young doctors on how to recognize vaccine-preventable diseases that haven’t been seen in the United States in most of their lifetimes.
—Pia Pannaraj, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Fox News' Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in healthcare, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This can also create a breeding ground for unwanted pests and fungal diseases.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Scholar Rock at a glance Scholar Rock focuses on treatments for neuromuscular diseases.
—Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Vaccine confidence in the United States has fallen since the COVID pandemic — primarily thanks to misinformation — and this is having a real effect on communal immunity for preventable diseases like measles.
—Mackenzie France, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
Though pears take at least three years and up to ten years to fruit, the advantage over apple trees is that they are not bothered by as many pests and diseases.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diseases
Noun
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Children suffering from malnutrition can be more susceptible to contracting other illnesses, and children with preexisting conditions can be more vulnerable to becoming malnourished, experts say.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Childhood illnesses had severely weakened her own heart.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition, wide receiver Jauan Jennings didn't practice on Friday for the third day in a row, and he's listed as questionable because of ankle and shoulder ailments.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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Urban streams, even once restored, suffer a number of ailments intrinsic to their circumstances and surroundings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors.—
B. Derrick Taff,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unlike conventional nylon, these fibers are biodegradable under certain conditions, yet remain durable, silky-soft.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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By carefully adjusting the conditions of its trap and then releasing it briefly, the researchers could measure its velocity distribution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Scientists now, however, understand the chemicals' persistence, and the compounds have been linked to health problems including cancer, thyroid and liver disorders, and more.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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People with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or neurological disorders were excluded.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In deer, the disease can cause fevers and swelling of the head and neck, sending infected deer to water sources.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
10 Sep. 2025
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Both infections and uncontrolled fevers during pregnancy have been linked to higher rates of autism.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diseases. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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