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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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
According to the county, those who became ill range in age from 27 to 60, and four people were hospitalized. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 Eight of the 57 guests sailing aboard National Geographic Sea Bird reported being ill during its July 15 voyage, along with five crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 27 July 2026
Adverb
As pathologists themselves fell ill or took time away to quarantine, already thin ranks were stretched even further. Gregory McDonald, STAT, 13 July 2026 Ana Navarro believes that people shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
Noun
But that also eradicates a crucial option - to mount a show trial and scapegoat him for all the ills of his rule, thus absolving others. Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Through humor, the master is about to expose humanity's ills. Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
  • Our founder has spent his career advocating for a shift from sick care to true health creation.
    Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • Officials recommended wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, staying current on vaccinations, testing for the virus and remaining home when sick.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Australian watchdog's claim, filed to the federal court Wednesday, said the unlimited broadcast size of Telegram channels meant the app must take responsibility for culling harmful material.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • During the 2015-16 season, for instance, Dungeness crabs off the coast of California were infected by a harmful algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, which causes domoic acid poisoning in crabs, fish, birds and marine mammals.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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
  • Headline figures such as tasks completed, queries handled or hours saved can look impressive while concealing errors, rework, poor customer outcomes and escalating operating expenses.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Habits like poor sleep, heavy drinking and smoking often make things worse, and work pressure, financial strain and caring for aging parents can compound the effects.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • These recent actions, while ominous, are only the latest salvoes.
    James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Thanos, the ominous figure glimpsed in the post-credits scene of The Avengers in 2012, had a face, and a two-time Oscar nominee face at that.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Adverb
  • Prioritizing economic return over the broader purpose of education could severely damage foundational academic fields and society itself.
    Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • But thousands of public comments come from scientists, who warn that the rule, as written, would severely curtail their work treating pediatric cancers, improving maternal health and advancing fundamental research.
    Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Adverb
  • The Wave can move the ball better than many of their opponents and are no worse than average at creating goal-scoring chances.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • Both Democratic candidates have used their platform to urge voters to vote no on one or both of Amendments 4 and 5 on direct democracy and taxes.
    Sophie Lindberg July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • DeepMind’s AlphaFold, for example, has used to AI to make available new structures for more than 200 million proteins, opening new pathways for research into disease and medicine.
    Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The lab got its start with studies of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the 1900s, when ranchers and cattle were dying from the then-unknown disease.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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