1
as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
chicken pox and the other ills that were once a fixture of childhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in evils
that which is morally unacceptable
idealistic people who try to cure all of our society's ills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in misfortunes
bad luck or an example of this
the travelers merrily set off on their journey, scarcely imagining the ills that would befall them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ills
Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.
—
Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Macbeth, also an unstable Scottish king, blames the witches for the ills caused by his own murderous decisions.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
The Annunciation Church attack breaks a boundary - namely, that children should be spared from society's typical ills.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Among those who came to view his immigration proceedings on Tuesday, but not allowed in, were Haitian bloggers and activists who blame him for the country’s ills.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
For political operatives, the crafting of partisan redistricting maps is the miracle elixir that cures party ills and keeps politicians entrenched for generations.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Conspiracy theories and simplistic sloganeering popular at the time tended to blame Iran’s ills solely on colonialism or capitalism.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Macbeth, also an unstable Scottish king, blames the witches for the ills caused by his own murderous decisions.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
The Annunciation Church attack breaks a boundary - namely, that children should be spared from society's typical ills.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Among those who came to view his immigration proceedings on Tuesday, but not allowed in, were Haitian bloggers and activists who blame him for the country’s ills.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
For political operatives, the crafting of partisan redistricting maps is the miracle elixir that cures party ills and keeps politicians entrenched for generations.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Conspiracy theories and simplistic sloganeering popular at the time tended to blame Iran’s ills solely on colonialism or capitalism.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ills
Noun
-
In the current era, the government health system might need to rely more on private health care facilities, especially to help tackle other surging diseases like malaria, already rising in Southern Africa.—
Brian Simpson,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Public health experts have widely credited the shots protecting against MMRV, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 for lowering the prevalence of diseases, but several ACIP members cast doubt over the safety and efficacy of the vaccines this week.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Instead of turning the actual evils into metaphors.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The format, tone, and structure of a reality-TV show do not leave space for genuine critiques of its evils.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But since June 13th—also the date when the Mets’ major misfortunes began—the Yankees have had a losing record, and have tumbled out of first place.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
-
But as much as Nashville artists love to dissect their misfortunes in song, Monroe has gone in almost the opposite direction with her latest project.—
Nancy Kruh,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, wide receiver Jauan Jennings didn't practice on Friday for the third day in a row, and he's listed as questionable because of ankle and shoulder ailments.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Urban streams, even once restored, suffer a number of ailments intrinsic to their circumstances and surroundings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Note, however, that although the initial criticism is what spurred this reaction, two wrongs never make a right.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This does not mean genuine wrongs should be dismissed.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Republicans, who say school security and improving mental health services are the best way to avoid future tragedies, have firmly opposed any new gun control measures.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
20 Sep. 2025
-
On the other hand, these tragedies also reveal the fractures in our society, the lack of interconnectedness, where all that seems to matter is my satisfaction, my opinion, and my way of life.—
Barry Gelman,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Children suffering from malnutrition can be more susceptible to contracting other illnesses, and children with preexisting conditions can be more vulnerable to becoming malnourished, experts say.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Childhood illnesses had severely weakened her own heart.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
19 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ills. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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