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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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
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 22 Aug. 2025
This news organization’s 2023 investigation found that nearly three-quarters of those seriously injured by San Jose officers between 2014-21 were either mentally ill or intoxicated, as were the 80% of people killed by officers.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
The wrecking begins when Carey (Marvin), Paul’s best friend, ill-advisedly sleeps with Julie—and then, more ill-advisedly still, confesses it to Paul the next day.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
Most of us wouldn’t consider the Middle Ages the epitome of medical sophistication, thanks to our perception of their barbaric and (from a modern perspective) ridiculous strategies for helping the ill.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
For example, some chronically ill people benefit from having greater energy stores during taxing treatments.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 22 Aug. 2025
This news organization’s 2023 investigation found that nearly three-quarters of those seriously injured by San Jose officers between 2014-21 were either mentally ill or intoxicated, as were the 80% of people killed by officers.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Patient 1, a man in his 50s, performed vehicle inspections that day and fell ill on September 28.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025
The wrecking begins when Carey (Marvin), Paul’s best friend, ill-advisedly sleeps with Julie—and then, more ill-advisedly still, confesses it to Paul the next day.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
Despite his humane pose, Gunn has found a way to revive America’s social ills.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
Most of us wouldn’t consider the Middle Ages the epitome of medical sophistication, thanks to our perception of their barbaric and (from a modern perspective) ridiculous strategies for helping the ill.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
Some doctors might not even immediately recognize symptoms in a sick patient because vaccines have made many contagious diseases rare in this country, said Marty, the FIU expert.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
However, some can, and those with risk factors can certainly become very sick.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In more extreme cases, happiness can also be derived from sources that are harmful to others.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
That chamber is sealed, plus the SoftGel is non-toxic, so harmful fumes reportedly shouldn't be a problem.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 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
-
But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Like most extended car warranty providers, CarShield excludes pre-existing conditions that existed before your warranty took effect, as well as damage resulting from poor maintenance, neglect or intentional abuse.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Scenes of terror and military might flash on the screen throughout the teaser, overlayed with an ominous monologue about the end times.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused bleaching events that severely damaged many of Florida's reefs.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The boy made a full recovery, but was severely injured by bites to both legs.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
DeSoto’s Baker retaliated with a strong 33-yard touchdown, but the PAT was no good.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If your loungewear collection needs a pre-season pick-me-up, though, look no further than Amazon’s best-selling Automet Jogger Sweatpants.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This isn’t the first study to suggest the importance of breakfast for living a long life—research has shown that regularly eating a morning meal is linked with lower overall and heart-related mortality (and that bypassing it can up your heart-disease risk).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Yet America’s system is transactional, rewarding affluence while neglecting the very conditions that produce disease.—
Stan Chu Ilo,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
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