as in diseases
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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Recent Examples of illnesses
Contractors working on the project recently completed pouring the foundation for what will provide smaller housing units meant to make quarantining detainees with communicable illnesses safer and easier.
—
Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
The world’s most popular YouTuber partnered with Disney, Make-A-Wish America and YouTube to grant a Frightfully Fun Wish for 40 kids who’ve battled critical illnesses and wished to meet their favorite content creators.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Those with serious illnesses who go to the doctor frequently would be best suited by buying a good health insurance plan with a broad network of doctors and, ideally, a lower deductible, McClanahan said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
There have been no illnesses as of the announcement, the alert says.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
He is believed to have suffered from numerous illnesses and disabilities, including circulatory problems, malaria, bone disease and a club foot.
—Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Specifically, a nation’s happiness level can influence its people’s risk of premature death from chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease, according to a study published October 20 in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
—Lindsey Leake, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
No illnesses have been reported, but the mix-up poses a risk to people with an allergy or sensitivity to hazelnuts.
—Jani Hall, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
First, Yung suggested speaking with a doctor to rule out any underlying illnesses.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025
Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
The world’s most popular YouTuber partnered with Disney, Make-A-Wish America and YouTube to grant a Frightfully Fun Wish for 40 kids who’ve battled critical illnesses and wished to meet their favorite content creators.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Those with serious illnesses who go to the doctor frequently would be best suited by buying a good health insurance plan with a broad network of doctors and, ideally, a lower deductible, McClanahan said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
There have been no illnesses as of the announcement, the alert says.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
He is believed to have suffered from numerous illnesses and disabilities, including circulatory problems, malaria, bone disease and a club foot.
—Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Specifically, a nation’s happiness level can influence its people’s risk of premature death from chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease, according to a study published October 20 in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
—Lindsey Leake, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
No illnesses have been reported, but the mix-up poses a risk to people with an allergy or sensitivity to hazelnuts.
—Jani Hall, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
First, Yung suggested speaking with a doctor to rule out any underlying illnesses.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illnesses
Noun
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In adults, physical activity helps to prevent and manage health problems like cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety—while also enhancing brain health and overall wellbeing—according to the World Health Organization.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Specifically, the study found that the teens and young adults required medical care for common mental disorders like anxiety and depression, a physical health condition, injuries and poisoning, and other physical diseases.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Salmonella rarely results in more serious ailments, which can include arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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This is based on a mix of historical accounts, the discovery of body lice on the remains of soldiers (which carried the pathogens that transmitted the ailments), and DNA analyses conducted nearly a decade ago.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors.—
B. Derrick Taff,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
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All their triumphs, all their sleepless nights, their loves and hates, their sicknesses, their schemes, their rises to power and their falls from it -- all gone.—
Paul Prather,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2016
Noun
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With each pot, cast iron skillet, and cooking utensil, Gilmore exemplified this longstanding tradition in Black life, negotiating her identity in America and resisting the ills of racial segregation that pervaded nearly every aspect of her community.—
Time,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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That solves a lot of problems, a lot of ills of society.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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If there are regions where public health officials never report illnesses with rashes and fevers, for example, that’s a red flag that measles could be spreading undetected.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
3 Nov. 2025
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High fevers and pain are widely recognized as potential risks to a pregnancy if left untreated.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And while mediators such as the United States, Egypt and Qatar play key roles in setting the political conditions for deals, the ICRC alone is poised to facilitate such swaps.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters said.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illnesses. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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