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
Relevance
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
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
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The bear tested negative for rabies and distemper.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Noun
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
The bear tested negative for rabies and distemper.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
-
Hantavirus disease is considered rare, with 890 cases reported in the United States between 1993 and 2023.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
In 2024, for example, more than 700 newborns died from spontaneous bleeding in their brains, which could have been complicated by liver disease or prematurity.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Many researchers, advocates and policy experts are alarmed by this White House policy.—
Alison Barkoff,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the city stressed that this operation would not be for a data center, which remains a source of contention for many residents alarmed by their proliferation across the state.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
None of the people being monitored have shown signs of illness, health officials told USA TODAY.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Jeremy Sochan entered as a small-ball option, and the Knicks were already piecing together frontcourt minutes with Robinson unavailable because of illness.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Remaining quiet and respectful increases the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat without disturbing them.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
Coherence unravels strange events and disturbing moments that are sure to thrill.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
But by the time Forrest reaches age 10, when dogs become eligible for Loyal’s pill, those defenses will more often misfire and fail to stop not just cancer but also other life-abbreviating ailments.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Plus, the sandals have a thick leather strap that provides a pillowy cushion around the top of the foot, which is helpful for anyone with foot ailments.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
About 6 million Americans had opioid use disorder — a problematic pattern of opioid use that significantly impairs or distresses a patient — as of 2022, according to the CDC.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Companies in this cohort are less likely to be distressed compared to their peers in the first quintile – that is, firms offering the highest dividend yield.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The expectations, the hope is so high for that prescription to be the salve for their ills.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And this one guy at this one firm can't solve all of his industry's ills.—
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After a frustrating conversation with a hotel staffer about the air conditioning, a hot and bothered Fuller threw on a ball cap, turned it backward and recorded a rant on his cellphone.—
Tia Mitchell,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026
-
Nine months after Varland was traded, Twins fans are still bothered the hometown kid isn’t clicking for them instead, especially given recent results from Minnesota’s bullpen.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
