1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
suffered from a mysterious illness that left her weak and tired all the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sickness
the condition of not being in good health
prone to illness as a child, he was sent to a western ranch with the expectation that it would toughen him up
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illness
Injury updates Spencer Knight (illness) returned to practice Wednesday, and Blashill said the goaltender should be ready to play Thursday in Salt Lake City.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Linkin Park won’t hit the stage in Adelaide tonight (March 12) as planned, after a bandmate was struck down with an unidentified illness.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
The researchers also found that, over the years, doctors had missed some cases among patients who had died with undiagnosed neurologic illness.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
For decades, acute illness defined American medicine, so physician training was structured around interventions that address acute problems.
—Lauren Rice, STAT, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Linkin Park won’t hit the stage in Adelaide tonight (March 12) as planned, after a bandmate was struck down with an unidentified illness.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
The researchers also found that, over the years, doctors had missed some cases among patients who had died with undiagnosed neurologic illness.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
For decades, acute illness defined American medicine, so physician training was structured around interventions that address acute problems.
—Lauren Rice, STAT, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Of roughly 45,000 inmates booked annually, 50% disclose chronic illness and approximately 30% of the remaining half are unaware or don’t reveal a chronic sickness.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
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Ours is an age which consciously pursues health, and yet only believes in the reality of sickness.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Faced with high rates of suicide and other ills such as addiction, corrections officers have long been concerned about the stress and violence of their jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Reform’s pitch to voters is that, for many of these ills, mass immigration is to blame.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He was admitted to the hospital after experiencing high fever, low oxygen, sweating and chills, DF Star Hospital said in a statement.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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William rides to the camp where Benjamin died in custody, and it is confirmed by the captain that there was an outbreak of jail fever.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illness. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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