diseases

noun

plural of disease
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 diseases Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Splitting up and spreading out childhood vaccines would be a seismic shift for families and a complicated, costly pursuit for the country that would only leave more people vulnerable to preventable diseases. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 PeruVenezuelaBrazilColombiaChile 5 of 11 Trump signed an executive order that recommends immunizing children against 11 diseases. — New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The doctor points to flu and measles as examples of diseases with increasing cases that children can be protected from with vaccines. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980 and no longer naturally circulates, was once one of the world's deadliest diseases. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The Compassionate Allowances list fast tracks the application process for disability benefits for individuals with certain serious diseases or medical conditions. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Lead exposure can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure, and ongoing cardiovascular issues in adults, while asbestos can lead to lung diseases including cancer. — Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026 When asked how the candidates would stabilize animal agriculture, Klobuchar mentioned protecting animals from diseases like avian flu and hiring more large-animal veterinarians. — Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diseases
  1. illnesses
  2. ailments
  3. sicknesses
  4. ills
  5. conditions
  6. disorders
  7. fevers
Noun
  • Over the next 60 years, polio, measles, rubella, smallpox and other illnesses nearly vanished.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of illnesses
Noun
  • Medics treat heat stroke and other ailments from trailers while an announcer calls out an endless stream of names of people separated from their families.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • During his time in the minors, Mayer dealt with hip, back, shoulder and wrist ailments.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ailments
Noun
  • And while children, the elderly and those with certain sicknesses or medications are most susceptible to heat illness – these temperatures affect everyone.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • At the end of the day, both doctors agree that hotel stays shouldn’t deter people from traveling altogether, since there are always ways to proactively minimize exposure and subsequent sicknesses.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
Definition of sicknesses
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
Definition of ills
Noun
  • Wu said that the fungus mostly affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions who require complex medical care.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Media reports have suggested however, that Ocalan’s conditions in his island prison off Istanbul will likely be improved, giving him broader visiting conditions and communication with the outside world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conditions
Noun
  • Genetic testing of a woman planning on a pregnancy or early after conception can now screen for nearly a hundred serious genetic disorders and, if present, guide the parents on treatment options.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The condition encompasses a group of brain disorders primarily affecting the frontal and temporal lobes, areas associated with personality, behavior and language.
    — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of disorders
Noun
  • Still's disease, a rare type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause rashes, debilitating pain, and fevers.
    — Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026
  • Blood in the stool and higher fevers are more common than with norovirus.
    — Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of fevers

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Cite this Entry

“Diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diseases. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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