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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of distemper
Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2025
The skunk with distemper is stuck in the window well again, chewing incessantly on the garden hose that is coiled up in there.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Raccoons can spread diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus Raccoons can transmit rabies, canine distemper and parvovirus to domestic animals and humans.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2025
Since the shelters’ closure on March 24, animal control staff have sent more than 1,000 samples to an outside lab to screen for distemper, officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Noun
The bear tested negative for rabies and distemper.
—Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2025
The skunk with distemper is stuck in the window well again, chewing incessantly on the garden hose that is coiled up in there.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Raccoons can spread diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus Raccoons can transmit rabies, canine distemper and parvovirus to domestic animals and humans.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2025
Since the shelters’ closure on March 24, animal control staff have sent more than 1,000 samples to an outside lab to screen for distemper, officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
Noun
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In those participants, the disease was not associated with any changes in brain size or evidence of damage.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Horton took the time to promote a charity seeking to raise funds for the organization Pancreatic Cancer UK, while also sharing a sweet tribute to the late Harry Potter star, who died from the disease in 2016 at age 69.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The affected regions in southern Africa are no strangers to heavy downpours and flooding, but scientists were alarmed by the magnitude of the recent events.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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While this alarmed some users, this type of intrusive data harvesting is common on social media apps.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pets could be impacted Additionally, products contaminated with filth, rodent excreta, and rodent urine may cause illness in the animals that consume the food or humans that are in contact with the products.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kim Wood, the NFL's first full-time strength and conditioning coach, died Tuesday after battling a brief illness.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was also disturbed by the 2016 murder of Labour parliamentarian Jo Cox by a far-right figure associated with neo-Nazi groups who had been radicalized online.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
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But then Detective Nathanial Saint shows up carrying disturbing news and an even more unexpected jolt of creativity.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To Camarda, the heat shield problem is one symptom of a widespread ailment plaguing NASA that took root in the shuttle era.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
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Not all ailments are alike, naturally.—
Jamie Holmes,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The dark wood has been stained and distressed for a rustic finish.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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Thieves have tried to break into Taylor Minatogawa’s business five times in the last two months, distressing him so much he’s spent at least a dozen nights inside his shop keeping guard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Winning tends to cure a lot of ills, and the Hornets hit the road this week with two recent home victories to their credit.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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As a result of her work with AMRs, Wise avoids framing humanoids as some sort of industrial panacea for every economic ill, from labor shortages to manufacturing bottlenecks.—
James Vincent,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
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Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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