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
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Recent Examples of infirmities
The young men naturally start out strongly, but exhaustion, physical infirmities and psychological stress eventually take their toll on them one by one.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirmities
Noun
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While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Consuming too many calories paves the way for obesity and related diseases like Type 2 diabetes.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For a more comprehensive mind-body tune-up, guests can opt for a multi-day Paths to Wellbeing program, which targets specific ailments, such as insomnia.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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Aiyuk, who tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7 of last season, isn't close to returning, and Pearsall and Jennings have what appear to be more minor ailments.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hospitalization is necessary for most patients and the disease has a case-fatality rate of about 20%, which is far greater than other foodborne illnesses.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Timely treatment of acute illnesses and consistent management of chronic conditions or special needs are also vital to prevent deterioration and long-term consequences into adulthood.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
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Pandora has opened her box and its ills are fully integrated into our world.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors.—
B. Derrick Taff,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
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All their triumphs, all their sleepless nights, their loves and hates, their sicknesses, their schemes, their rises to power and their falls from it -- all gone.—
Paul Prather,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2016
Noun
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The character—whose superpower is fighting fevers, which are often present during cancer treatment—has long served as an informal mascot for patients and families.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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But there was no report of the spiking fevers that characterize malaria.—
Tom Frieden,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infirmities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmities. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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