dysentery

Definition of dysenterynext
as in shigellosis
medical a serious disease that causes very frequent evacuation of fluid stools and a loss of blood

Related Words

Relevance

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 dysentery Francis Drake died of dysentery off the coast in 1596. David Amsden, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2025 Raymond Kinzounza, weak with dysentery, went to a makeshift hospital. Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025 In a similar vein, authors of early modern herbals such as John Gerard(e) instructed their readers to use different parts of the plant—its juice, flowers, rind, and seeds—to address stomach concerns, dysentery, dental health, wounds and bleeding, and menstrual health. Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025 From Near Tragedy to Nuptials Nick Cilberti was treated in a local hospital, as the soldiers became infected with dysentery and other diseases contracted in the hot, humid region, and was discharged a few months later. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dysentery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dysentery
Noun
  • Housing is a major factor in the spread, say Portland health officials The dysentery infection currently spreading most prominently among Multnomah County is shigellosis, the most common form of dysentery infection caused by the shigella bacteria.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Two years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control began tracking a sharp rise in cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) shigellosis — infections by particular strains of Shigella bacteria that are impervious to most antibiotics.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Cumin stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, which can relieve bloating and diarrhea.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Symptoms include vomiting, stomach pain and bloody diarrhea.
    Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dysentery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dysentery. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on dysentery

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster