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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ills
Around the country, data centers have been blamed increasingly for a host of environmental ills.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
That’s actually the theme of an essay that Masha Gessen, who writes often about Russia and its many ills, has asked.
—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
2 July 2026
Large protests are expected and, in a country where migration has become an easy target for people suffering from a cascade of social and economic ills, the gatherings risk becoming combustible.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 June 2026
But that also eradicates a crucial option - to mount a show trial and scapegoat him for all the ills of his rule, thus absolving others.
—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Through humor, the master is about to expose humanity's ills.
—
Rance Collins,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 June 2026
Of course, some of society’s foremost ills in 2026 owe themselves to the World Wide Web.
—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
Ultimately, a ballot initiative won’t cure the ills that plague healthcare in the United States, said the Lown Institute’s Saini.
—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Charli isn’t pretending the world’s ills are curable through a sweaty night dancing with friends.
—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
ABC News,
2 July 2026
That’s actually the theme of an essay that Masha Gessen, who writes often about Russia and its many ills, has asked.
—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
2 July 2026
Large protests are expected and, in a country where migration has become an easy target for people suffering from a cascade of social and economic ills, the gatherings risk becoming combustible.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 June 2026
But that also eradicates a crucial option - to mount a show trial and scapegoat him for all the ills of his rule, thus absolving others.
—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Through humor, the master is about to expose humanity's ills.
—
Rance Collins,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 June 2026
Of course, some of society’s foremost ills in 2026 owe themselves to the World Wide Web.
—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
22 June 2026
Ultimately, a ballot initiative won’t cure the ills that plague healthcare in the United States, said the Lown Institute’s Saini.
—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Charli isn’t pretending the world’s ills are curable through a sweaty night dancing with friends.
—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ills
Noun
-
In the 1940s, the widespread use of penicillin allowed for the treatment of diseases that were once fatal.
-
Minerals such as calcium, manganese, and fluoride support bone health, helping to prevent or manage diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
Noun
-
So please get ready for a choice of evils.
-
The island village is beset by sea hags, serial killers, creepy clowns and other evils that interfere with Tom’s dream of turning Widow’s Bay into a Martha’s Vineyard-like tourist destination.
Noun
-
Jessie blames technology for toy misfortunes, getting angry at all forms of technology, even those already discarded.
-
Repairing Furniture There are few misfortunes greater than scratching a new piece of dark wood furniture.
Noun
-
The women wanted physicians who were disease preventers, and doctors who were attentive to the difficulties wrought by menopause, which have been increasingly found to leave women vulnerable to other ailments.
-
Peterson had a chaotic lone season with the Jayhawks, filled with various injuries and ailments, but remained in contention for a top-3 pick the entire year.
Noun
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Brian Kilmeade views the semiquincentennial as an opportunity to reflect on the nation's founding courage and vision, while Lawrence Jones highlights America's continuous improvement despite past wrongs.
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So did two wrongs make a right?
Noun
-
Beyond the solidarity such tragedies inspire and the accompanying political rhetoric, Rodríguez has little room to turn away any government willing to lend a hand during this crisis.
-
Recent incidents across North Texas show just how quickly these tragedies unfold and why having a plan matters.
Noun
-
Oura rings are beloved for their ability to track steps, monitor sleep, and even catch illnesses before symptoms begin.
-
Older adults and young children are most sensitive to extreme heat, as are people who are pregnant, overweight, have disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Noun
-
In addition to public goods, AI will also create public bads.
-
Naturally, the meeting is a flop because no one was prepared, and their spontaneous ideas are frankly fireable-offense bad (a baguette bag shaped like a baguette for Paris?
Cite this Entry
“Ills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ills. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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