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
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Pharmacists would be given immunity from liability for any ill effects caused by ivermectin under the bill.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Even Harbour’s physicality — the actor has put on weight and spends much of the show in ill-fitting attire or partially disrobed — is meant to elicit more than one response.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As a result of her work with AMRs, Wise avoids framing humanoids as some sort of industrial panacea for every economic ill, from labor shortages to manufacturing bottlenecks.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
The ill house feels our infinitesimal movements inside her and ignores them, which is worse than violence.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Pharmacists would be given immunity from liability for any ill effects caused by ivermectin under the bill.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Lilian, looking back ten years later, from a New Jersey college town where Tesla Cybertrucks prowled, felt that the Bay Area before the 2016 election had been as innocent as the children in her minivan, as well-intentioned, as ill-prepared.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Even Harbour’s physicality — the actor has put on weight and spends much of the show in ill-fitting attire or partially disrobed — is meant to elicit more than one response.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Winning tends to cure a lot of ills, and the Hornets hit the road this week with two recent home victories to their credit.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
As a result of her work with AMRs, Wise avoids framing humanoids as some sort of industrial panacea for every economic ill, from labor shortages to manufacturing bottlenecks.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
As the harried solo parent of a sick child, Byrne lets the camera zoom in so close to her character’s insecurities that the audience breaks out in a cold sweat.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Threats to the environment and wildlife are still ever-present — a new highly pathogenic avian influenza has just hit the state, McGuire said, making birds and now elephant seals in Northern California sick.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When asked about Trump’s immigration policies — which have been controversial and are viewed by some Venezuelan residents as harmful to their community — Rodriguez first expressed support.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As these processes unfold, the nuclear pore is also blocking things that don’t belong, such as harmful enzymes or misfolded RNAs.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 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
-
City officials say the long-term leases make buying Liberty Station a poor investment for any potential buyer other than Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Imagine the surprise, and relief, of all those allied troops who drove into Baghdad without once hearing the ominous cry GAS!—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Mahan clarified that severely treatment-resistant homeless people would receive help in a medical setting.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason.—
Omar Kelly
March 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
While that same sun will always rise in the East and set in the West, the work of these artists affirms that each new day is ours to make anew — no matter what sorrows may lay behind us.—
Grant Klarich Johnson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The food, the mezcal, the natural wine, the arts scene, the greenery… its appeal is near-universal no matter the traveler or the time of year.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The finding has the potential to provide a longer runway to make the lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk, and could be used to better identify subjects who could benefit from participating in clinical trials seeking to prevent or treat neurodegenerative disease.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Hall of Fame high school football coach Bob Johnson, who built powerhouse programs at El Toro and Mission Viejo and became known for mentoring for his sons and other top quarterbacks, died Wednesday after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease, his son Bret confirmed.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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