MALADY Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

malady

noun

ˈma-lə-dē

Definition of malady

as in disease

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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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 malady Several cultures use the plant therapeutically to treat a variety of maladies, including dandruff, hair loss, stomachaches, and fever. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 Haberman and Swan make clear the dimensions of his malady. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 June 2026 Over the decades the O’odham placed some barbed wire along the border to keep livestock from straying into the neighboring country, limiting the spread of maladies such as foot-and-mouth disease and hindering cattle thieves. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 Many business leaders like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argue companies are AI washing, or using the technology as an apt justification for layoffs when in reality, they’re enacted due to another underlying budgetary malady. — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for malady

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malady

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

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
Eleven gullible idiots were talked into acquitting because of an imaginary female ailment.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

As a result, more people have now died of environmental illnesses that followed the September 11 attacks than perished during the collapse of the towers that day.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
About 80% of infected people develop no symptoms, while most others experience a mild flu-like illness.

— Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of illness

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 ill

Noun

But about 1 in 20 patients progress to severe dengue, a life-threatening turn that tends to strike just as the fever breaks – often around days three to seven, when patients and their families may wrongly assume the worst is over.

— Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Symptoms remain wide-ranging, including fever, congestion, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues, with severe symptoms lasting up to a week, Guest says.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of fever

Browse Nearby Words

maladroitness

malady

malaise

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“Malady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malady. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of malady

noun

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