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
Washing bananas helps prevent fruit flies and reduces your risk of any illnesses.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
No illnesses linked to products in this recall have been reported to date.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
So far, no illnesses have been reported related to the recall.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
However, no illnesses related to the recall have been reported so far.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
As of this time, no illnesses or injuries have been reported.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
Chicago health officials said symptoms are similar to common illnesses, including fever, chills, fatigue, and nausea.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, keeping your home ventilated can reduce the spread of common illnesses like the flu.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
Diagnosing the virus in the early stages is often difficult because the symptoms resemble many other illnesses, the CDC has said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
No illnesses linked to products in this recall have been reported to date.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
So far, no illnesses have been reported related to the recall.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Jan. 2026
However, no illnesses related to the recall have been reported so far.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
As of this time, no illnesses or injuries have been reported.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
Chicago health officials said symptoms are similar to common illnesses, including fever, chills, fatigue, and nausea.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, keeping your home ventilated can reduce the spread of common illnesses like the flu.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
Diagnosing the virus in the early stages is often difficult because the symptoms resemble many other illnesses, the CDC has said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illnesses
Noun
-
The development of antibiotics, vaccines and advanced surgical techniques has virtually eliminated many diseases that once killed thousands annually.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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McLaughlin said the company chose to focus on these diseases partly because of their outsized impact on patients.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Galen concocted medicines that seem strange to modern ears, such as treating ailments like inflammation with feces sprinkled with thyme to mask the odor.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
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In recent years Foege battled multiple health ailments, including cancer, congestive heart failure, gout, and a terrible case of shingles.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
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And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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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
Noun
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The zoonotic virus can spread between animals and people, mostly fruit bats and pigs, with mild to severe symptoms from fevers to brain infection and death, according to the Cleveland Clinic.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Tylenol is the drug recommended by OB-GYNs for pain or fevers while pregnant, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic counts were taken during off-peak periods that do not reflect summer park use or event conditions, and core operational assumptions — shuttle volumes, curb capacity, pedestrian crossings, and rideshare demand — remain unvalidated by independent analysis.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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The combination of strong, gusty winds near the coast will create near blizzard conditions, which will greatly reduce visibility and cause dangerous conditions late Saturday and overnight.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Illnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illnesses. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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