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
Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert at Florida International University, warned that removing vaccine requirements would leave children vulnerable to illnesses many parents no longer recognize.
—
Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
The same goes for anyone with chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
The first motion passed would allow firefighters with occupational illnesses to see their doctors without having to use a PTO day.
—Alexis Martin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2025
These are nonspecific symptoms that often lead to misdiagnosis with other illnesses such as influenza, malaria or typhoid fever.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
While there have been no illnesses reported from the Sweet Potato, Apple and Spinach baby food pouches, the company is advising any consumers with the products in their possession to return them to their local store for a full refund.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Viral lung infections start out as viral respiratory illnesses, which can affect the upper respiratory tract (the vocal cords and above) and the lower respiratory tract (below the vocal cords).
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2025
No illnesses have been reported as of Tuesday related to the recall and no additional products by Sprout Organics are impacted, the alert notes.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Previous recommendations, widely supported by pediatric experts, called for the use of a vaccine that addressed four different illnesses, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
The same goes for anyone with chronic illnesses like diabetes or kidney disease.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
The first motion passed would allow firefighters with occupational illnesses to see their doctors without having to use a PTO day.
—Alexis Martin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2025
These are nonspecific symptoms that often lead to misdiagnosis with other illnesses such as influenza, malaria or typhoid fever.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
While there have been no illnesses reported from the Sweet Potato, Apple and Spinach baby food pouches, the company is advising any consumers with the products in their possession to return them to their local store for a full refund.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Viral lung infections start out as viral respiratory illnesses, which can affect the upper respiratory tract (the vocal cords and above) and the lower respiratory tract (below the vocal cords).
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2025
No illnesses have been reported as of Tuesday related to the recall and no additional products by Sprout Organics are impacted, the alert notes.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Previous recommendations, widely supported by pediatric experts, called for the use of a vaccine that addressed four different illnesses, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illnesses
Noun
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Tens of thousands of people have fallen ill with dengue, cholera, and other diseases after recent rains, compounding a series of crises in the country.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Already, the population faced immiseration and the ravages of diseases like influenza and whooping cough.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Similarly, at 1,400 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea’s hypersaline waters are often recommended for skin ailments such as psoriasis and eczema.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
26 Sep. 2025
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Quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle have missed their last two games due to toe and hamstring ailments, respectively.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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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Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
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Pandora has opened her box and its ills are fully integrated into our world.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The character—whose superpower is fighting fevers, which are often present during cancer treatment—has long served as an informal mascot for patients and families.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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But there was no report of the spiking fevers that characterize malaria.—
Tom Frieden,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Attorneys slam facility conditions Immigration enforcement processing centers are only supposed to hold people for 72 hours or less, according to Long.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Global consumer textile demand is affected by macroeconomic conditions, and the outlook for world GDP growth has been tepid since the benefits of stimulus faded with inflation and higher interest rates.—
SJ Guest Editorial,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illnesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illnesses. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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