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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of illness
But everything changes when Kristen faces a sudden illness.
—
Rick Ellis,
Forbes.com,
25 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
Heat exhaustion and heat illness will be possible without proper cooling and/or hydration.
—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Prolonged or acute exposure to smoke has been known to trigger heart attacks, strokes and other serious respiratory illnesses.
—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Rick Ellis,
Forbes.com,
25 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
Heat exhaustion and heat illness will be possible without proper cooling and/or hydration.
—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Prolonged or acute exposure to smoke has been known to trigger heart attacks, strokes and other serious respiratory illnesses.
—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
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Speaking with Seacoast Online, part of the USA TODAY Network, three years after his diagnosis, Hall said the symptoms of the disease can come and go.
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While bedbugs are not known to spread or transmit disease, the Environmental Protection Agency considers the parasitic insects a pest that can cause other public health issues such as allergic reactions, secondary infections and mental health impacts on those living in infested homes.
Noun
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Some, Mute said, suggested that the spreading sickness was tuberculosis, AIDS or even mercury poisoning — from the chemical that miners use to extract gold from ore.
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Around the same time, Martinez said, fire rescue received a few medical calls from fans experiencing heat sickness at the event.
Noun
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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).
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Also in Indy, Caitlin Clark left last night’s game with a back ailment.
Noun
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Of course, some of society’s foremost ills in 2026 owe themselves to the World Wide Web.
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In the winter of 1920, the United States entered Prohibition in the United States after years of campaigning by temperance groups who believed alcohol sat at the root of many social ills.
Noun
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In what felt like an absolute fever dream, the PIX 11 studio team was talking to reporter Steve Gelbs before a game against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies.
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Raj wakes up with the flu, a high fever, and a negative COVID test result.
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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