1
as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
chicken pox and the other ills that were once a fixture of childhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in evils
that which is morally unacceptable
idealistic people who try to cure all of our society's ills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in misfortunes
bad luck or an example of this
the travelers merrily set off on their journey, scarcely imagining the ills that would befall them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ills
Ratti believes similar operations can be the soothing balm for retailers’ current ills.
—
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
And officials have long looked to play up the ills of other countries, especially the US, to boost their own image for domestic and, increasingly, international audiences.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
No, coach Marco Sturm did not reach back for a 20th century bag skate to cure the team’s ills.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
For all their ills, the Chargers are in first place.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The retraction was expected by many nutrition experts, who have long questioned claims that this kind of vinegar could remedy ills including obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Pandora has opened her box and its ills are fully integrated into our world.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
And officials have long looked to play up the ills of other countries, especially the US, to boost their own image for domestic and, increasingly, international audiences.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
No, coach Marco Sturm did not reach back for a 20th century bag skate to cure the team’s ills.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
For all their ills, the Chargers are in first place.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The retraction was expected by many nutrition experts, who have long questioned claims that this kind of vinegar could remedy ills including obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Pandora has opened her box and its ills are fully integrated into our world.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.
—Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ills
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
If Redania doesn’t rise to oppose the evils plaguing the Continent, who will?—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The story sees the vengeful spirit La Llorona returning, forcing a fractured family to confront their past and join forces with their estranged curandero grandfather to battle ancient evils, before the Weeping Woman claims their children forever.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
-
According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 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
-
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
-
In recent years there has been some effort by some Western academic institutions to right the wrongs of the past and return ancient ancestral remains and artifacts to their rightful tribal nations.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Tamra, whom Shannon has refused to forgive for past wrongs, goes under the table to help right as Shannon starts to slide out her seat in the banquette under the table.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With projects bracing for termination, mission teams broken apart and safety protocols weakened, the guardrails that once kept NASA from repeating its worst tragedies are being stripped away in real time.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
After a devastating series of tragedies gets her medical license revoked, Maggie is without purpose, but not without passion.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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,
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
Noun
-
While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.—
Austin Mock,
The Athletic,
19 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ills. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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