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
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, 6 Nov. 2025
That solves a lot of problems, a lot of ills of society.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Time, 6 Nov. 2025
That solves a lot of problems, a lot of ills of society.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ills
Noun
-
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The process of pruning involves removing dead, diseased, damaged, or crossing branches that can attract pests and be an entryway for diseases.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 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
-
But, Diabanté questions, isn’t a world without strife, oppression, war, famine, poverty and all other societal ailments what humans have been struggling for all along?—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Heat had a few of its best players out because of injuries on Saturday, but a few others played through their ailments.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Following a group of illusionists, the crew uses their magical tricks to stage a series of heists and right some wrongs.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
-
The New York Yankees should be one of the busiest teams in baseball this winter as the organization looks to right many of the wrongs from this year.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Luna is dreamy, while Jane is matter-of-fact, even about family tragedies.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That’s different that the crisis caused when formula produced by Abbott was linked to infant deaths and illnesses in 2022.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
For less severe illnesses, people will usually recover with rest and hydration.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2025.
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