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
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Recent Examples of ills
For all its ills, social media can also be an entry point for anyone interested in Chicago history and the city’s varied eccentricities.
—
Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
Certainly, in the past several years, the app has been blamed for any number of contemporary social ills.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
Despite so many errors, The Information is now the paper of record on the ills of Nvidia.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
There are people like myself who don’t agree with the extreme policies of both parties realizing that neither side has all the answers to solve the nation’s ills.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
An expensive renovation to raise its foundation protected Samy’s studio from the elements; high above it all, the veranda provided a stunning, unobstructed view of poverty and all its ills.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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
Certainly, in the past several years, the app has been blamed for any number of contemporary social ills.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025
Despite so many errors, The Information is now the paper of record on the ills of Nvidia.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
There are people like myself who don’t agree with the extreme policies of both parties realizing that neither side has all the answers to solve the nation’s ills.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
An expensive renovation to raise its foundation protected Samy’s studio from the elements; high above it all, the veranda provided a stunning, unobstructed view of poverty and all its ills.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ills
Noun
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Cassidy, a physician specializing in liver diseases and a vocal supporter of vaccination, had questioned Kennedy sharply in a hearing about his views on shots.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The colonists were subject to arbitrary taxation, warrantless searches, standing armies in their homes, and other evils at the hands of the crown.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As usual, the list of evils leads off with a medical procedure that is never directly condemned in the Bible — and is arguably even sanctioned in Jewish texts when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s health.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Once these people are already profiting off their own peccadillos and escalating misfortunes, why shouldn’t HBO?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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Some of these myths include a home facing south will bring financial and health problems and misfortunes to the occupants—however, many Vastu sources also say a south-facing home can be auspicious if done right.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The building had many ailments, and the landlord seemed intent on doing as little as possible about them.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Loan defaults, foreclosures, and hotel property auctions due to distressed financing show that an array of ailments afflict the region’s lodging market.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And last year’s wrongs have not yet been righted in any tangible way.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Amid a prediction history that featured 13 wrongs in my first 16 years — how does that even happen?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Adams believes the outcome could set a precedent in Georgia, prompting prosecutors to more closely examine the responsibility of parents in such tragedies.—
Nakell Williams,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But while Arnold and the band went on to sell 30 million albums, cementing a legacy as one of the post-grunge era’s most successful groups, 3 Doors Down also were forced to navigate a series of tragedies, some by their own making.—
Jim Beaugez,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the launch of a mass drug administration program has allowed the country to treat around 100 million people for NTDs annually since 2019, The END Fund found, with the disease burden for some illnesses reducing by as much as 72%.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
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 20 Feb. 2026.
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