as in illnesses
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
they caught a rare disease while they were traveling in Africa and were sick for weeks
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Recent Examples of diseases
The ticks can transmit diseases such as ehrlichiosis and bourbon virus, both of which can also be transmitted by the Lone Star tick, according to the press release.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
University of Saskatchewan scientists developed a 3D lung tissue model to provide a better environment for studying medicines and diseases like tuberculosis, COVID-19, asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
This same approach has previously proven effective in detecting diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, ALS, and prostate cancer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Currently, people of African decent comprise 2% or less of the global genomic data — information that is essential to understanding risks of certain diseases and other ailments and is key to crafting effective treatments and preventative measures.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
His project estimated how mental health problems can influence chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease compared to patients who do not have mental health diseases.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Watering too often, not often enough, at lower ambient temperatures, and late in the day can lead to plant diseases, leaf drop, or an explosion of harmful pests.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Visionaries in Silicon Valley see the technology creating new industries, curing diseases, and making workers more productive.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
University of Saskatchewan scientists developed a 3D lung tissue model to provide a better environment for studying medicines and diseases like tuberculosis, COVID-19, asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
This same approach has previously proven effective in detecting diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, ALS, and prostate cancer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Currently, people of African decent comprise 2% or less of the global genomic data — information that is essential to understanding risks of certain diseases and other ailments and is key to crafting effective treatments and preventative measures.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
His project estimated how mental health problems can influence chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease compared to patients who do not have mental health diseases.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Watering too often, not often enough, at lower ambient temperatures, and late in the day can lead to plant diseases, leaf drop, or an explosion of harmful pests.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
Visionaries in Silicon Valley see the technology creating new industries, curing diseases, and making workers more productive.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diseases
Noun
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The foundation helps families whose children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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According to the Florida Department of Health, vibrio is annually blamed for dozens of illnesses - 27 statewide in 2025, along with five deaths.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Guard Mekhi Becton has played just 51 percent of the offensive snaps for various ailments.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Currently, people of African decent comprise 2% or less of the global genomic data — information that is essential to understanding risks of certain diseases and other ailments and is key to crafting effective treatments and preventative measures.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors.—
B. Derrick Taff,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
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All their triumphs, all their sleepless nights, their loves and hates, their sicknesses, their schemes, their rises to power and their falls from it -- all gone.—
Paul Prather,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2016
Noun
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For all their ills, the Chargers are in first place.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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The retraction was expected by many nutrition experts, who have long questioned claims that this kind of vinegar could remedy ills including obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Swells generated by Jerry are affecting the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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Avoid driving during those conditions if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His team developed a tool a few years ago that can provide a snapshot of how healthy a patient’s brain is and how much risk the patient has of developing Alzheimer’s and related disorders.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
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Researchers believe the device could be adapted for electrical stimulation and other therapies, potentially benefiting patients with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And certain vaccines can trigger brief, low-grade fevers as the immune system builds protection.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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High fevers and pain are widely recognized as potential risks to a pregnancy if left untreated.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diseases. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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