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

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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

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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
Most people who’ve become ill have worked on farms with infected cattle or poultry. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 Healthy young children carried it silently, and some, unpredictably, became seriously ill. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Another cousin, 27-year-old Zawadi Kavira Musubao, fell ill during the funeral. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Yeter was discharged after initial treatment, the outlets reported, but she was later rushed back to the hospital by family members after falling ill at home. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
The game’s maker, Paolo Pedercini, has long diagnosed the ills of modern capitalism through countercultural video games like Phone Story (2011), which depicted the exploitative supply chain of a smartphone. — Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 In this framework, the cure for the party’s ills can only come from inside the party, not from any external force. — Andrew Mertha, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
  • Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Ridly Greig was nursing his own lower-body injury, and Tyler Kleven was too sick to play.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The state’s health department cautions that the true number is most certainly higher because not everyone who gets sick seeks medical care.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • If our minds are constantly running at full throttle, potentially harmful molecules might keep piling up faster than the brain can dispose of them.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Earth's ozone layer acts as a planetary sunscreen, shielding humans, animals, and plants from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 4 Nov. 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
  • Nearby residents have argued that the large apartment complex will be a poor fit for their neighborhood, citing concerns about traffic congestion and fire department access, among other things.
    — Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Lions’ high-flying offense is at its best on turf, not nearly as fast on grass, and their poor red zone defense has been an issue.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The dungeons were ominous, multi-level complexes with layouts both eldritch and natural, no longer limited to square tile arrangements.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Some bore ominous messages that could be read only under ultraviolet light.
    — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Adverb
  • Hospitals in the north lack health workers, medicines and equipment, while ambulance services are severely limited and insecurity is obstructing medical deliveries, Tedros said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Utley fractured the vertebrae in his neck and severely damaged his spinal cord.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Adverb
  • The talent of the workforce and industry is no different than the 1960s.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Greenrow Liona Twisted Bar Cart To find that heirloom quality of Victorian design lore, look no further than Greenrow’s Liona bar cart with Barley twist legs to charm you an dyour guests.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • At the time, Stratton was caring for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal in humans if treatment is not received before symptoms develop.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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