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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illness
This openness has helped her children face the realities of illness and loss with both honesty and hope.
—
Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025
It is recommended by the CDC for all infants younger than 8 months who are entering their first RSV season and for toddlers ages 8 months to 19 months who are at higher risk of severe illness.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
For the past several years, the poet laureate of Colorado has confronted a life-threatening illness after their diagnosis with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025
It is recommended by the CDC for all infants younger than 8 months who are entering their first RSV season and for toddlers ages 8 months to 19 months who are at higher risk of severe illness.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
For the past several years, the poet laureate of Colorado has confronted a life-threatening illness after their diagnosis with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
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After Yang was found, Police thanked those who assisted in the search for the missing man, who also has Parkinson’s disease.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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Do control the Asian psyllid insects with an insecticide spray at each flush of growth to prevent the spread of greening disease.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Remember the symptoms of heat exhaustion In extreme cases, intense heat can lead to sickness as your body struggles to regulate its temperature.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
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There’s a cultural sickness at the heart of this — the tendency to mistake charisma for character, proximity for integrity, success for safety.—
Rob Shuter,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The 83-year-old singer-songwriter and former member of Grammy-winning folk duo Simon & Garfunkel announced the cancellation of two concerts in Philadelphia over the weekend due to a physical ailment.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
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Brown only threw 55 1/3 innings in 15 games (eight starts) during 2024 because of a neck ailment that sidelined him most of the season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Noun
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And then there were the potential ills of a conventional approach, like fumes spewed by laminate flooring.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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Zooming in on mitochondria might offer a reassuringly specific and seemingly scientific explanation of the many real ills of the U.S. population, but ultimately, Means and MAHA are only helping obscure the big picture.—
Hannah Seo,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2025
Noun
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One historical account suggests salicylic acid was isolated from queen-of-the-prairie’s flowers in the 1830s, perhaps revealing why the plant’s flowers were used in tea to reduce fever and alleviate pain.—
Sheryl DeVore,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Often the diseases have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, headache or chills.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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