as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
an 18th-century quack who specialized in those mysterious infirmities that are known only to the idle rich
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of infirmities
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said protecting elderly people from predators who take advantage of their mental or physical infirmities is a priority of her office.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Because of his infirmities, he is housed in a medical unit of the jail, away from the general population.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Because of his infirmities, he is housed in a medical unit of the jail, away from the general population.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirmities
Noun
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Existing studies are limited (and have been mostly done in animals or laboratory settings), but there's some evidence that cinnamon may help in treating or preventing multiple different diseases.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Silicosis also increases the risk for other lung diseases, such as lung cancer and tuberculosis.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Raw dairy, his farm has claimed, could cure, treat or prevent myriad diseases and ailments, from diabetes and ear infections to allergies, eczema and arthritis.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Vivi Sanchez Salinas with MiSalud, a nonprofit that contracts with farms to offer counseling services, said the stress of potential immigration enforcement may hamper productivity and show up in the form of physical ailments, for example, trouble sleeping, stomach issues and headaches.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The law allows patients with terminal illnesses to end their lives with lethal medication — without supervision of their medical team.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
-
People with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or those recovering from gastrointestinal illnesses may experience more bloating, gas, or discomfort when consuming fiber-rich grains like brown rice.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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
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Charli isn’t pretending the world’s ills are curable through a sweaty night dancing with friends.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Some sicknesses also appeared near the bottom of the list.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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For example, the prescription offered by those who saw a generally healthy way of life as the right way to prevent disease helped propel cleaning up the filthy cities of the Industrial Revolution—and that really did reduce the impact of common fevers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Amir suffered fevers and stomach issues during his incarceration at Dilley, according to the report.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infirmities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmities. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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