as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
in the olden days people were always suffering from some unknown malady
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Recent Examples of maladies
But those maladies have nothing against the ones presented in this list—six afflictions that many of us have come to know all too well.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Musgrove’s history of performing well and working through maladies bolsters the Padres’ confidence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet after three straight seasons with identical point totals, 41 apiece, Strome had played in just over half the team’s games this year between injuries, illness and healthy scratches peppered into that mix of maladies.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
The maladies also come at a time in Cleveland’s schedule where some of its more notable matchups are coming up quite soon.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
As hotel values in 2025 rose in Southern California, a slump in Northern California showed a decline that suggests the market remains weighed down by a host of economic maladies, a new report shows.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
More marketers of health and wellness products and services came to the Super Bowl to tout weight loss pills, telehealth services and even getting consumers to take tests that might identify potential maladies.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Relying on medications as front-line, first-choice solutions for today’s major maladies ignores two alternative approaches that may more effectively address our most common conditions.
—Thomas Goetz, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Since being diagnosed with a number of maladies over the years, including hypothyroidism, leaky gut and a gluten intolerance, McCarthy has been on a quest to put better things not only in her body but on her body.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Musgrove’s history of performing well and working through maladies bolsters the Padres’ confidence.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet after three straight seasons with identical point totals, 41 apiece, Strome had played in just over half the team’s games this year between injuries, illness and healthy scratches peppered into that mix of maladies.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026
The maladies also come at a time in Cleveland’s schedule where some of its more notable matchups are coming up quite soon.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
As hotel values in 2025 rose in Southern California, a slump in Northern California showed a decline that suggests the market remains weighed down by a host of economic maladies, a new report shows.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
More marketers of health and wellness products and services came to the Super Bowl to tout weight loss pills, telehealth services and even getting consumers to take tests that might identify potential maladies.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Relying on medications as front-line, first-choice solutions for today’s major maladies ignores two alternative approaches that may more effectively address our most common conditions.
—Thomas Goetz, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Since being diagnosed with a number of maladies over the years, including hypothyroidism, leaky gut and a gluten intolerance, McCarthy has been on a quest to put better things not only in her body but on her body.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maladies
Noun
-
Combination vaccines are single injections that protect against multiple, preventable diseases and have been used since the 1940s.—
Kar-Hai Chu,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Through her work at Danielle Ashley Group, Alston in 2008 co-founded First Ladies Health Initiative, a far-reaching effort that seeks to destigmatize screening for various diseases and illnesses in underserved Black and Hispanic communities.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Matterhorn Fit treats ailments that affect the neck, back and pelvis, which include sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, thoracic pain, cervical pain, sports hernia recovery and cervicogenic headache.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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The growing exodus reflects the challenges Bass faces while trying to help some of the city’s neediest residents, many of whom struggle with mental health conditions, substance use issues or major physical ailments.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Finally, smoking deaths may seem to be unremarkable because some of the illnesses that cigarette smoking causes, such as heart disease or cancer, are commonplace.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This week, on the mayor’s 97th day in office, a massive crowd gathered in the lobby of the busy Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, watching as Mamdani announced the city would start sending some people with serious medical illnesses to the hospital from the city’s notorious Riker’s Island jail.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In their absence, the three remaining candidates pounded on a wide array of municipal ills, including broken sidewalks, high rents and sluggish housing production.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In his songs, the Virginia rapper renders societal ills in high definition.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
-
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maladies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladies. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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