Definition of illnext
1
as in sick
affected with nausea she grew ill from the constant rocking motion of the boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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4
as in poor
falling short of a standard such ill behavior will not be tolerated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

ill

2 of 3

adverb

ill

3 of 3

noun

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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 ill
Adjective
Kate Chatfield said her father had been in cognitive decline for the last year and had fallen ill on the day of his passing. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 Asked about the potential ill effects on artists’ practices of the large-scale destruction of books, weighed against the possible benefits of technological progress, Chan and Paul’ had a spirited exchange. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Adverb
As a peripheral community grows around them, this lawless terrain is suddenly subject to boundaries and contracts and taxes; both uneducated and illiterate, Isak and Inger are ill prepared for such societal evolution. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 The technology is racing ahead of regulation, Fan said, making Chinese judges ill-equipped to deal with the deluge of cases involving individual face protections and digital infringement. — Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
All the police will find is a crowd sitting in silent vigil and a bottle of olive oil for anointing the ill. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 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 See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
  • Khadijah had insisted on nursing their newborn Aziza with her own breast milk, but Latif discovers that only a few pouches remain in the fridge and formula makes his baby sick.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • As well as being a holy site, Lourdes attracts around 3 million pilgrims a year, including approximately 60,000 sick and disabled pilgrims.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Harry is known for speaking out in high-profile campaigns about the harmful impact of technology on young people.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Too often, environmental advocates insist on the elimination of poaching, logging, and other harmful activities while remaining wholly unfamiliar with the factors at play that lead to predation, neglect, and abuse of nature.
    — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
    — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Because of the drought, woodland deer food is not abundant in most of the state this year, and what exists is in poor condition with low nutritional value.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The Maracana's turf has been a concern for almost two weeks due to its poor shape amid a long season in Brazilian soccer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a blank panel next to the 14 crashes, an ominous open space ripe for fresh carnage.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That’s an ominous sign for a Bucs team that faces the Vikings and Packers at home, then travels to Dallas for a Thursday night game against the Cowboys in a span of 12 days.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • After months of suspension because of fighting, UNIFIL has resumed some of its non-military activities, providing basic medical assistance in areas where access remains severely restricted.
    — Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, McClatchy newsrooms were cut severely, leaving fewer journalists than ever to cover the fast-growing hubs of the Central Valley.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Wash with cool water only Wash your hair no more than once a week.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026
  • DJs don’t dance no more, but Lenny Kravitz was certainly rocking out during Harry Styles’ MSG concert last night.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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