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
  • DeepMind’s AlphaFold, for example, has used to AI to make available new structures for more than 200 million proteins, opening new pathways for research into disease and medicine.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The lab got its start with studies of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the 1900s, when ranchers and cattle were dying from the then-unknown disease.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • Here’s what should alarm anyone who cares about process, not just outcomes.
    — A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026
  • The incident has alarmed the world, but perhaps no one more so than AI safety experts who have warning about these kinds of dangers for years and urging companies and governments to adopt more safeguards.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of alarm
Noun
  • After her diagnosis, her doctor taught her about the illness and what to expect during treatment.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 July 2026
  • In the initial stages of infection, the pathogen would resemble a known illness—one vulnerable to standard vaccines or drug remedies.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Definition of illness
Verb
  • Out of competition The world of elite sports is taken to disturbing new heights full of brutality and painful ambition in the new film from Nikias Chryssos (The Bunker, Rave On, A Pure Place).
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • When walking down the charming Main Street, you won't be disturbed by honking or traffic since the island has banned cars since 1898.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Noun
  • The right-hander has been dealing with the ailment for more than a month.
    — Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • But a lingering issue with his left knee is the most serious ailment on his docket.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of ailment
Verb
  • Jeffrey Tam, a lawyer for nine residents of the Wang Fuk Court, noted some residents decided to give evidence despite being distressed by the tragedy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • The judges looked on in horror, with Mel B visibly distressed over the fate of her keepsake.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • 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
  • Last month, Kwon’s team, in collaboration with Seongju Kim at Hanbat National University, in Daejeon, South Korea, presented its solution to HBM’s future ills.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026
Definition of ill
Verb
  • Lowe’s marginal position in Britain doesn’t seem to bother his allies in the United States.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
  • She couldn’t be bothered to hear half of the testimony about carriage horses.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 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 30 Jul. 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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