as in diseases
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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Recent Examples of illnesses
Those with heart disease and respiratory illnesses, young children and older adults are more at risk.
—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
Researchers know deaths and illnesses rise during heat waves, but the numbers are hard to track, because there aren't uniform requirements.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Although there were no official national mortality records in 1776, historians agree that the following illnesses were responsible for the largest number of deaths.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In rare cases, the infection may produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis, the agency added.
—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Cruise ships are required to report GI illnesses to the CDC as soon as possible in order to detect outbreaks quickly and prevent them from spreading, the agency states.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Oura rings are beloved for their ability to track steps, monitor sleep, and even catch illnesses before symptoms begin.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
27 June 2026
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause illnesses like heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and the most serious type, heat stroke, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
In December 2025, Norwegian tech firm No Isolation introduced the AV1 classroom robot, enabling children with long-term illnesses to attend lessons remotely.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
Researchers know deaths and illnesses rise during heat waves, but the numbers are hard to track, because there aren't uniform requirements.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Although there were no official national mortality records in 1776, historians agree that the following illnesses were responsible for the largest number of deaths.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In rare cases, the infection may produce more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis, the agency added.
—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Cruise ships are required to report GI illnesses to the CDC as soon as possible in order to detect outbreaks quickly and prevent them from spreading, the agency states.
—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Oura rings are beloved for their ability to track steps, monitor sleep, and even catch illnesses before symptoms begin.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
27 June 2026
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause illnesses like heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and the most serious type, heat stroke, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
In December 2025, Norwegian tech firm No Isolation introduced the AV1 classroom robot, enabling children with long-term illnesses to attend lessons remotely.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illnesses
Noun
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In the 1940s, the widespread use of penicillin allowed for the treatment of diseases that were once fatal.
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Minerals such as calcium, manganese, and fluoride support bone health, helping to prevent or manage diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
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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Peterson had a chaotic lone season with the Jayhawks, filled with various injuries and ailments, but remained in contention for a top-3 pick the entire year.
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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Olena started with the children, the most vulnerable refugees as well as the most likely vectors of new sicknesses in the theater.
Noun
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Around the country, data centers have been blamed increasingly for a host of environmental ills.
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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.
Noun
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Then anaplasmosis joined the fray, spreading fevers and chills of its own.
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The worst is over—the fevers have broken, the tissues have dwindled, and everyone is slowly regaining their energy.
Noun
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For sure, the old philosophy that all athletes with heart conditions should not play competitive sports is outdated and not correct.
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Typically, El Niño is associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the winter in Southern California.
Cite this Entry
“Illnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illnesses. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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