1
2
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
one of the ill effects of winter weather is the rapid spread of germs as people spend more time together indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in poorly
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
since I'm ill, I guess that I'll just have to miss that dental appointment
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4
as in poor
falling short of a standard
such ill behavior will not be tolerated
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5
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
the abrupt breakdown of negotiations appears to be an ill omen for this ongoing hostage situation
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1
as in severely
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
in those days society treated debtors very ill, even going so far as to put them in prison
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2
as in no
certainly not
you can ill afford to miss another day of work
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1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
chicken pox and the other ills that were once a fixture of childhood
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2
as in evil
that which is morally unacceptable
idealistic people who try to cure all of our society's ills
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3
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this
the travelers merrily set off on their journey, scarcely imagining the ills that would befall them
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ill
Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The magnet-making business began after Howell gave birth and became ill in 2024.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This method works, but the equipment is heavy, power-hungry and is ill-suited for long-duration missions to the moon or Mars.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
For political operatives, the crafting of partisan redistricting maps is the miracle elixir that cures party ills and keeps politicians entrenched for generations.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
How many parents can afford to take 3 weeks off work to care for an ill child?
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The magnet-making business began after Howell gave birth and became ill in 2024.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
My initial concern over the premise was ill-founded.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This method works, but the equipment is heavy, power-hungry and is ill-suited for long-duration missions to the moon or Mars.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Among those who came to view his immigration proceedings on Tuesday, but not allowed in, were Haitian bloggers and activists who blame him for the country’s ills.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
For political operatives, the crafting of partisan redistricting maps is the miracle elixir that cures party ills and keeps politicians entrenched for generations.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
But many Americans who don't meet the new criteria do still want to get vaccinated to avoid getting sick or spreading the virus to vulnerable family members.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Harry, who served in the British Armed Forces for 10 years, launched The Invictus Games in London in 2014 to honor active duty and veteran service members who have been wounded, injured or sick on the job.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
According to a five-pillar plan shared with CNBC, Cruz also aims to create federal standards for AI, prevent AI from being used in harmful ways such as scams, allow free speech and address ethical concerns.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Nonfiction narratives that students both read and produce serve as counter-narratives to the oppressive and harmful tropes in media more generally about Black girls and girlhood.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The researchers and their partners are also working to track local residents’ health and to measure how well or poorly interventions like masks and household air filters protected them.—
Maggie Astor,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Headlines about Social Security are equally ominous.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Frank Olton, 76, was found on Monday tied to a pole in his basement suffering from multiple stab wounds, and his wife Maureen Olton, 77, was found on the house's first floor, severely burned, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference on Tuesday.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
One of every $8 in outstanding US credit card debt was severely delinquent at the end of June, the highest level since 2010.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Maybe his loud-and-proud brand of politics, no matter how controversial, gave them confidence.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The fall colors on Mackinac Island typically peak in the middle of October, and this year is expected to be no different.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those drugs, which target rare diseases, and some newer cancer treatments are part of the reason Sun Life Financial covered 47 claims last year that cost over $3 million.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Certain health conditions, including liver disease, cancer, diabetes or HIV, or immunosuppressants, raise the risk for severe illness.—
Mollye Barrows,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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