distemper 1 of 2

noun

Definition of distempernext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distemper

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈtem-pər How to pronounce distemper (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 distemper
Noun
According to the shelter, staff had already been monitoring for signs of distemper due to cases reported in surrounding counties. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 Per Cook County ordinance, dog owners also must submit their dogs' vaccine records — with proof of their dogs' vaccines or titers (antibodies) for rabies, distemper (CFV), hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus-2), parainfluenza (CPIV), parvovirus (CPV), leptospirosis, and Bordetella (kennel cough). — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Mother had purchased a new bed and armoire for his room, and the walls were freshly distempered. — Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
  1. disease
  2. alarm
  3. illness
  4. disturb
  5. ailment
  6. distress
  7. ill
  8. bother
Noun
  • Those enrolled have experienced CLBP due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) for less than five years.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • Garcia said that before the attack, residents were already alarmed by a May news release from the city manager of neighboring Rio Vista, who warned that the project and potential annexation could open the door to a giant data center being built.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Terrified Jewish voters—alarmed by progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s anti-Zionist rhetoric—are fleeing to Republican Mike Rogers for self-preservation.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarm
Noun
  • Several iterations of the idea have since taken shape, expanding to refugees, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors with chronic illness.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The sources haven’t been identified for nine of the ongoing foodborne illness outbreaks and two of the ongoing Salmonella outbreaks.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of illness
Verb
  • Sulfur-rich gases reaching the upper atmosphere could reflect sunlight and temporarily cool the climate, disturbing rainfall and reducing harvests worldwide.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Some people think putting more and more effects is the best way to express ourselves for the audience, and some filmmakers just want to keep the balance without disturbing the original movie.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturb
Noun
  • In this high silk topper The Big Bambino was on top of the world with no premonition that a serious throat ailment would lead to his death in a few short years.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of ailment
Verb
  • Changes To Leaves Or Bark Yellow, browning, or dropping leaves outside of the fall season can mean a tree is distressed from drought, pests, disease, or lack of nutrients.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Because the posters ran in untargeted locations, including on the London Underground and at a site visible from a children’s nursery, the regulator concluded the imagery was likely to distress young children who saw it.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of distress
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 ill
Verb
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother

Browse Nearby Words

distastes
distemper
distemperature
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Cite this Entry

“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on distemper

Nglish: Translation of distemper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about distemper

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