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infirmities

noun

plural of infirmity
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirmities
  1. diseases
  2. ailments
  3. illnesses
  4. ills
  5. sicknesses
  6. fevers
Noun
  • Jennifer is still an American Kidney Fund Ambassador, and hopes that her and Kennus’ story helps other couples who are navigating kidney diseases.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Other Health Conditions Health conditions, including several autoimmune diseases, can lead directly or indirectly to dry eye syndrome.
    — Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • In determining whether to reimburse treatment for such ailments, insurers turn to Food and Drug Administration labels and expert guidelines.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Four brothers later died from ailments that stemmed from the war.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of ailments
Noun
  • The issue roiled French politics for years before lawmakers recently approved legislation allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Food Safety Another important reason to wash bananas is to reduce your risk of any illnesses.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of illnesses
Noun
  • In this framework, the cure for the party’s ills can only come from inside the party, not from any external force.
    — ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Football cannot be expected to answer societal ills, but this is the sort of area in which the club’s foundation does its invaluable outreach work, a place touched by those statistics about deprivation and crime.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of ills
Noun
  • And while children, the elderly and those with certain sicknesses or medications are most susceptible to heat illness – these temperatures affect everyone.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • At the end of the day, both doctors agree that hotel stays shouldn’t deter people from traveling altogether, since there are always ways to proactively minimize exposure and subsequent sicknesses.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
Definition of sicknesses
Noun
  • Signs of severe symptoms include bloody diarrhea, fevers over 102 degrees or frequent vomiting that prevents hydration, according to the CDC.
    — Julia Hawkins, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026
  • While most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms, others can experience anything from fevers, headaches, vomiting, and more within two to six days after being bit.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fevers

Browse Nearby Words

infirmary
infirmities
infirmity
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Cite this Entry

“Infirmities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmities. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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