ILLNESS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

illness

noun

ˈil-nəs

Definition of illness

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 illness These might be a detriment when an illness or injury requires specialized care. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Cyclosporiasis, another foodborne illness that has been making headlines this summer, led to an extensive lettuce recall in July. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 More produce is causing illnesses during a summer marked by the spread of foodborne pathogens. — Eva Flowe august 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 Because diseases such as measles were largely eliminated for decades, many parents have never seen the illness firsthand and don’t view it as a serious threat. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness

Noun

But rates of cardiac disease have fallen in recent years, as the medical community pivots to managing cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes—all risk factors for heart disease.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The administration said 80% of insurers pledged changes to preauthorization requirements for 80% of diseases and injuries by January 2026.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

Looking up patients on Facebook or Instagram, seeing what their lives were like before sickness and death, can create emotional attachments that make a difficult job even harder.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Difficult interactions with the government intensify the sickness of sickness and the trauma of trauma.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sickness

Noun

Hospitals and medical practitioners could treat many ailments and save lives, but medications like insulin for diabetes and antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia didn’t exist.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
On the other side of it, Zeek Biggers, who hasn’t played in either preseason game, has been dealing with a minor nagging ailment in recent weeks but is back now.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

Alex Pantling/Getty Images What is clear is that no one thinks the changes enacted in either the Championship or League One are a resolution to the EFL’s marked financial ills.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Blaming billionaire wealth-hoarding for America’s ills would poll very well among the nation’s anthropology departments.

— Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026