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

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
Butler denied having felt ill, and no alcohol or common street drugs were in his system, the affidavit said. Reuters, NBC news, 3 July 2026 While anyone can get sick, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
Adverb
Demonstrators raised concerns that Levin-Richmond Terminal is ill equipped to handle the raw sugar. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 On Earth, that requires cryogenic liquids, which are ill-suited for a satellite. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 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
  • If a sick animal did end up at a slaughterhouse, the US Department of Agriculture’s thorough meat inspection system would very likely spot it, separate it from others and deem it US Suspect.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • But when McGinley was a teen-ager, Michael became sick with AIDS and moved home to New Jersey.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The as-yet-untitled series will follow the story of multiple families and campaigners including Ellen Roome, who believes that the tragic death of her beloved 14-year-old son Julian ‘Jools’ Sweeney could have been linked to harmful social media.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2026
  • And planting near any street could expose trees to harmful salt spray when roads are treated in the winter.
    Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Adjective
  • This fragmented model creates friction and quietly drains profitability through unbilled hours, margin erosion from poorly staffed projects and elevated turnover when top talent hits operational roadblocks.
    DJ Paoni, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • On top of this, subterranean drip systems often clog with mineral deposits, sediment, and algae, which Nad warns may eventually require repairs or replacement of portions of the system, particularly in areas with hard water or poor filtration.
    Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • West Nile, spread by mosquitoes in the Culex genus, affects about 2,000 people every year in the US and causes about 130 deaths, and this season is off to an early and ominous start, the CDC warned.
    Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • In the meantime, an ominous mass of orbital threats has been steadily growing over the years.
    Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Adverb
  • The person who died was taken to the shore severely injured and, despite CPR being administered, was pronounced dead, officials said.
    Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • When rescuers first met her, Rockalina’s eyes were sealed shut, her nails were severely overgrown, and cat hair had become tightly wrapped around one of her legs.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Adverb
  • And this year was no different as 30,419 fans showed up on Saturday night.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • As Eric Suarez and Brandon Welty pulled their duo of airboats off to the side of an island in the Everglades, this spot looked no different from the rest of the canal.
    Alie Skowronski, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Already large clinical trials are testing if certain drugs could prevent or at least delay the disease — and if any of those pan out, doctors will need an easy way to tell who should try them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office determined Quinonez Palomares died of cardiovascular disease, with obesity listed as a significant contributing condition.
    Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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