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
Though often undiagnosed, JCV causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to severe neurological illness, with seroprevalence data suggesting vast undercounting of cases.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Howard’s story carries particular resonance in Ireland, which has the highest rate of the illness per capita in the world.
—
Amelie Claydon,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half are to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
The illness is caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium and can leave people sick for days or even weeks.
—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Howard’s story carries particular resonance in Ireland, which has the highest rate of the illness per capita in the world.
—
Amelie Claydon,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half are to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
The illness is caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium and can leave people sick for days or even weeks.
—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
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.
Noun
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At the end of the day, both doctors agree that hotel stays shouldn’t deter people from traveling altogether, since there are always ways to proactively minimize exposure and subsequent sicknesses.
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Additionally, people who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
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).
Noun
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Large protests are expected and, in a country where migration has become an easy target for people suffering from a cascade of social and economic ills, the gatherings risk becoming combustible.
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But that also eradicates a crucial option - to mount a show trial and scapegoat him for all the ills of his rule, thus absolving others.
Noun
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Symptoms of cyclosporiasis occur between two days and two weeks after exposure, and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and low-grade fever.
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Monroe County health officials say symptoms occur two to 14 days after exposure and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, cramps and bloating, nausea and low-grade fever.
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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