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
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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
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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Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects 1% of the population.1 People with celiac used to die from their condition before the gluten-free diet diet was discovered.2 Gluten intolerance is more common, affecting up to 13% of the population.—
Sarah Bence,
Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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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
Noun
-
The family, with their lawsuit, seeks an unspecified amount in damages for physical sickness, pain and injuries, including for PTSD and associated symptoms caused by the raid, the complaint shows.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
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During their sickness, Vanessa and her daughter were in bed together watching a slew of romantic comedies.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When these germs escape the farm and infect humans, antibiotics are ineffective at treating them, which can make common ailments difficult or even impossible to heal.—
Kenny Torrella,
Vox,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Musculoskeletal injuries are perhaps the most common ailment experienced by hockey players.—
Lipi Roy, MD,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
During the Cold War, population control came to be seen as a kind of master key—a panacea for social and political ills.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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The agency has the subject of fierce controversy and a target of the Trump administration’s accusations of government ills.—
Patrik Jonsson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
11 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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