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
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Recent Examples of illness
How to stay safe from Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a waterborne illness, so the CDC recommends cleaning pipes and devices that use water to remove germs and debris.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Derrick McCray, the man in charge of flipping baby back ribs and wings over a hickory live fire, reopened on Lake Avenue over Fourth of July weekend, more than a year after illness and a falling-out with his landlord forced him to shut his 45th Street flagship in Riviera Beach.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2025
The star guard also credited Natasha Cloud (illness) postgame for competing hours after being downgraded to questionable.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
All these conversations are being had now because of King Charles’ illness.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Derrick McCray, the man in charge of flipping baby back ribs and wings over a hickory live fire, reopened on Lake Avenue over Fourth of July weekend, more than a year after illness and a falling-out with his landlord forced him to shut his 45th Street flagship in Riviera Beach.
—Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2025
The star guard also credited Natasha Cloud (illness) postgame for competing hours after being downgraded to questionable.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
All these conversations are being had now because of King Charles’ illness.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
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The mosquitoes that spread the disease have developed immunity to some of the insecticides that have previously helped reduce the spread, Bier said in an interview.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
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The major preventable drivers for liver cancer include Hepatitis B and C, alcohol and liver diseases associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
18 July 2025
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The medical group provides urgent care, primary care, telemedicine, women’s and men’s health services and specialized programs for weight loss, as well as IV infusions for people needing nutrients, hydration or recovery from sickness and hangovers, its news release said.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
17 July 2025
Noun
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As power in the American League East has quickly shifted in favor of the Toronto Blue Jays, don’t expect Major League Baseball’s upcoming trade deadline to serve as an antidote when attempting to cure all the Yankees’ ailments.—
Wayne G. McDonnell,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Brandi Glanville’s Disease is an acute and often incurable ailment among Housewives.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Across Florida and throughout the United States, a dangerous narrative is gaining ground, one that paints immigrants as threats, strangers and scapegoats for every social and economic ill.—
Maria Revelles,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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Image That kind of thinking has placed Superflex among the innovative artists addressing the world’s ills today.—
Laura Rysman,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Usually, people suffer flu-like symptoms, fever, headaches, muscle stiffness, sometimes confusion and/or seizures.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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Symptoms typically include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath, as well as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea and others.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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