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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illnesses
But the launch of a mass drug administration program has allowed the country to treat around 100 million people for NTDs annually since 2019, The END Fund found, with the disease burden for some illnesses reducing by as much as 72%.
—
Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.
—Amanda Seitz, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses if consumed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection to this recall.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Mohammadi has a medical history that includes heart attacks, chest pain and high blood pressure, as well as spinal disc issues and other illnesses, according to the foundation, which is run by her family.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Being able to sanitize can help prevent the spread of illnesses like colds, flu, RSV and COVID-19.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Weakened Immune System Short-term zinc supplementation can support the immune system and help the body respond to illnesses such as the common cold.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
They have also been shown to drive eating disorders — by far the deadliest psychiatric illnesses — in teens.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.
—Amanda Seitz, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
But some can cause mild to life-threatening gastrointestinal illnesses if consumed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection to this recall.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Mohammadi has a medical history that includes heart attacks, chest pain and high blood pressure, as well as spinal disc issues and other illnesses, according to the foundation, which is run by her family.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Being able to sanitize can help prevent the spread of illnesses like colds, flu, RSV and COVID-19.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Weakened Immune System Short-term zinc supplementation can support the immune system and help the body respond to illnesses such as the common cold.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
They have also been shown to drive eating disorders — by far the deadliest psychiatric illnesses — in teens.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illnesses
Noun
-
Cassidy, a physician specializing in liver diseases and a vocal supporter of vaccination, had questioned Kennedy sharply in a hearing about his views on shots.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 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
-
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
-
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
-
And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
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
-
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
-
On the other hand, fevers, arm soreness, and other side effects of routine vaccination are quite visible to individual clinicians.—
Robert M. Califf,
STAT,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Born healthy, Shiloh thrived through infancy until, around 18 months, unexplained fevers began to appear.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under normal conditions, these signals go straight to the robot’s central processing unit.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
No matter the conditions, our officers are always ready to answer the call.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illnesses. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
