as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
contracted some tropical distemper while he was doing research in the jungles of Borneo
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
despite his career success, he has been distempered by nagging feelings of inadequacy his whole life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of distemper
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Per Cook County ordinance, dog owners also must submit their dogs' vaccine records — with proof of their dogs' vaccines or titers (antibodies) for rabies, distemper (CFV), hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus-2), parainfluenza (CPIV), parvovirus (CPV), leptospirosis, and Bordetella (kennel cough).
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Noun
According to the shelter, staff had already been monitoring for signs of distemper due to cases reported in surrounding counties.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Per Cook County ordinance, dog owners also must submit their dogs' vaccine records — with proof of their dogs' vaccines or titers (antibodies) for rabies, distemper (CFV), hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus-2), parainfluenza (CPIV), parvovirus (CPV), leptospirosis, and Bordetella (kennel cough).
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Mother had purchased a new bed and armoire for his room, and the walls were freshly distempered.
—
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
Noun
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The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment, according to the United Nations.
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The rabies vaccine, if administered immediately after exposure, is nearly 100% successful at preventing the disease, according to the World Health Organization.
Verb
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Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.
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That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.
Noun
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If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
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Despite some athletes reporting illness afterward, no clear link to the water was confirmed, and the century-long psychological barrier to bathing in the Seine was finally broken.
Verb
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He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
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The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
Noun
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The women wanted physicians who were disease preventers, and doctors who were attentive to the difficulties wrought by menopause, which have been increasingly found to leave women vulnerable to other ailments.
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Imaging this week showed Brown has a stress reaction in his neck, which was in the same spot as his 2024 ailment that ultimately had been diagnosed as an osteoma (benign bone tumor).
Verb
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Machado, who has known Castellanos since childhood, was clearly distressed by the move.
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Today, the digital experience and ability to connect in different ways, particularly when seeing distressing stimuli on social media, has fundamentally changed the human experience.
Noun
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Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.
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That’s actually the theme of an essay that Masha Gessen, who writes often about Russia and its many ills, has asked.
Verb
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Playing against such younger competition doesn’t bother Crawford.
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Install Fencing If all deterrents fail and snakes continue to bother you, consider installing a 2- to 3-foot fence around your property.
Cite this Entry
“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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