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
If anything, the nation’s top health officials have encouraged people to embrace the tolls of infectious illness.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The bulletin also says these are often chosen for their accessibility and their ability to mimic natural illness, complicating detection and investigation.
—Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Boston traded Porzingis to Atlanta during the same offseason roster overhaul, but injuries and illness limited him to 17 games for the Hawks.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The Hawks were without N’Faly Dante (right knee torn ACL), RayJ Dennis (G League), Nikola Djurisic (G League), Caleb Houstan (G League), Onyeka Okongwu (dental fracture), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Duop Reath (right foot stress fracture) against the Heat.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The bulletin also says these are often chosen for their accessibility and their ability to mimic natural illness, complicating detection and investigation.
—Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Boston traded Porzingis to Atlanta during the same offseason roster overhaul, but injuries and illness limited him to 17 games for the Hawks.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The Hawks were without N’Faly Dante (right knee torn ACL), RayJ Dennis (G League), Nikola Djurisic (G League), Caleb Houstan (G League), Onyeka Okongwu (dental fracture), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Duop Reath (right foot stress fracture) against the Heat.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding had been allocated to disease control programs in all four states, though California Atty.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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The disease begins with the formation of benign polyps in the body's large intestine, also known as the colon.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And her love sickness rendered physical is such a beautiful and powerful literary symbol.—
Hannah Benson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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His office has continually pointed to the senator’s leg stiffness as a result of his childhood polio sickness.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In recent weeks, Doncic has grappled with ankle and groin ailments as well; the wear-and-tear of the season emerging just before the All-Star break.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For those gray, dreary Berlin February days, the Berlinale this year is offering a colorful fever dream of a cinematic antidote courtesy of Pakistan.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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Listeria most frequently causes short-term symptoms in healthy individuals, like fever, nausea, and abdominal pain, but is particularly dangerous to pregnant women.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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