ILLNESS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

illness

noun

ˈil-nəs

Definition of illness

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 illness On September 17, Kardashian revealed that she was previously hospitalized for the same illness related to her father Robert Kardashian’s death. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026 Throughout his illness, Gardner’s friends have shown up to help him in various ways, such as mowing his lawn, cooking and delivering groceries. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 The beloved actor died on July 18, 2024, after a series of short illnesses. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 That joie de vivre—rather than illness itself—is the crux of the film. — Riann Phillip, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

Mao’s resolution treated each of these as a sickness that could sometimes be cured through a regimen of criticism and self-criticism in front of peers.

— ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
In Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, evil is a native sickness that contaminates an otherwise perfect, unsullied child of empire.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sickness

Noun

In determining whether to reimburse treatment for such ailments, insurers turn to Food and Drug Administration labels and expert guidelines.

— Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Eleven gullible idiots were talked into acquitting because of an imaginary female ailment.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

In this framework, the cure for the party’s ills can only come from inside the party, not from any external force.

— ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
Football cannot be expected to answer societal ills, but this is the sort of area in which the club’s foundation does its invaluable outreach work, a place touched by those statistics about deprivation and crime.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of ill

Noun

But about 1 in 20 patients progress to severe dengue, a life-threatening turn that tends to strike just as the fever breaks – often around days three to seven, when patients and their families may wrongly assume the worst is over.

— Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Symptoms remain wide-ranging, including fever, congestion, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues, with severe symptoms lasting up to a week, Guest says.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026