as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
contracted some tropical distemper while he was doing research in the jungles of Borneo
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
despite his career success, he has been distempered by nagging feelings of inadequacy his whole life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distemper
Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Ultimately, distemper went from being a widespread killer to a preventable disease.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025
Democratic dysfunction goes hand in hand with democratic distemper.
—John Micklethwait, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2014
In addition to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the stray dogs have been implicated in cases of dog bites and rabies in people, and parvo and distemper in pets.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Noun
In one case, a border collie was euthanized within a week of being adopted after it was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and distemper, prosecutors said.
—Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Ultimately, distemper went from being a widespread killer to a preventable disease.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025
Democratic dysfunction goes hand in hand with democratic distemper.
—John Micklethwait, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2014
In addition to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the stray dogs have been implicated in cases of dog bites and rabies in people, and parvo and distemper in pets.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
Noun
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This marks a major shift from older Alzheimer's treatments, which could only manage symptoms without slowing down the disease much.—
Allen Chang,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
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Alzheimer's researchers believe the disease takes root with brain changes before memory and thinking problems surface.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When DeSantis first ran for Governor in 2018, Florida was experiencing headline-grabbing environmental problems ranging from fish-killing red tides and toxic algae blooms to manatee die-offs and invasive species that were alarming residents and giving tourists pause.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
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Modern medicine’s first attempt to cure psychiatric illness through surgery may be traced back to the late 19th century, when Gottlieb Burckhardt, a Swiss psychiatrist, removed tissue from the cerebral cortex in a half-dozen patients.—
Frieda Klotz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Made from breathable cotton terry fabric that is ultra-soft on the inside, Miramar is distinguishable by hyper realistic denim prints designed to capture every detail of classic jeans, from distressing and fading to tiny stitches and rivet.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Neighbors at the apartment complex were distressed at the sight.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The North American run of the tour, which kicked off last April, was plagued with several cancellations and postponements due to the singer suffering various ailments.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
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Francis died Monday at 88 years old following a life-threatening battle with respiratory ailments.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No doubt, climate change threatens to muck it all up, disturbing patterns that have existed for centuries.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
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This tactic—arresting judges for their courtroom decisions—has disturbing echoes in other countries where judicial independence has been undermined: in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and in other places where democracy has given way to executive supremacy.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From worrying about how much TV little kids can watch to what social media is doing to the mental health of teens, parenting has turned into a constant battle against the ills of the screen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
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Every possible ill, every source of embarrassment to their bourgeois sensibilities, was blamed on the plant.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Travel delays don’t bother Blues The Blues got stuck in Winnipeg after Game 5 due to an issue with the plane that was bringing them back to St. Louis.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Luckily, my dog doesn’t bother the plants—except the ones in the garden—but this plant stand gives me peace of mind anyway.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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