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
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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
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 May 2025
That's why Delta flight 694 diverted to [Minneapolis] to ensure a cabin pet that became ill received proper care.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
Several people who fell ill ate cucumbers on cruise ships leaving ports in Florida, according to the CDC.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And therein lies the root of Stanford’s many ills over the past eight or 10 years, from the Varsity Blues scandal to the (aborted) plan to cut sports to the missteps in men’s basketball and the deterioration of football under David Shaw and the Taylor mess and everything else.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
When a child is seriously ill, the whole family is affected.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 May 2025
That's why Delta flight 694 diverted to [Minneapolis] to ensure a cabin pet that became ill received proper care.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Adverb
Researchers presume many of the 19 people had been enslaved, later moved freely after the Civil War, and eventually fell ill or were institutionalized in asylums before landing at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
Several people who fell ill ate cucumbers on cruise ships leaving ports in Florida, according to the CDC.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Noun
Without government support, research into the ills that inflict the internet will wither.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And therein lies the root of Stanford’s many ills over the past eight or 10 years, from the Varsity Blues scandal to the (aborted) plan to cut sports to the missteps in men’s basketball and the deterioration of football under David Shaw and the Taylor mess and everything else.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
There is another current salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers that has already left 45 people sick and 16 hospitalized across 18 states.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Some of the samples tested positive for Salmonella and additional testing found that the samples were closely related to the Salmonella found in sick people.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid reusing or reheating cooking oils to prevent harmful compounds.35 Taste and flavor: Canola, grapeseed, corn, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils are ideal for sautéing or baking.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
12 June 2025
-
Independent testing confirms that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants.—
Nick Blackmer,
Health,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment.—
Adam Taylor,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
Programs like food aid for poor children, health care for seniors, and subsidies for day-to-day needs are in the balance.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 June 2025
-
The risk extends even to children due to increasing rates of childhood obesity and poor dietary habits.20 As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthy adults have their lipids checked every four to six years.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adverb
-
With regard to shade, this umbrella does a good job at providing protection no matter what direction the sun is coming from, especially given the tilt feature.—
Sandi Schwartz,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2025
-
However, the amateur side heads to the United States with an unwavering belief that anything can happen, no matter how great the odds.—
Rory Fleming,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Blood pressure may rise with age, increasing cardiovascular disease risk.—
Anisha Shah,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
-
Untreated dental disease can even be life threatening, as in the case of Deamonte Driver, who died at age 12 after bacteria spread from an untreated tooth abscess to his brain.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
With a visual style influenced by European fantasy and shonen anime, the series promises high-stakes action and emotional resonance as its heroes confront an ancient evil.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Topics: Science & technology (24%), particularly good vs. evil, new technology, advanced science, and the workings of the universe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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