1
as in illness
the condition of not being in good health
she was plagued by sickness most of her adult life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant or animal's normal bodily functioning
a sickness that resulted in the death of millions of the nation's elm trees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nausea
a disturbed condition of the stomach in which one feels like vomiting
the sickness that many women feel during the early months of a pregnancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sickness
Hantavirus was first identified as a cause of sickness of one of the cases on May 2.
—
ABC News, 9 May 2026
City officials did not immediately respond to a question Thursday afternoon about whether any bacterial sickness in humans had been reported.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The turmoil within the Star Wars fandom, in Carano’s telling, is a microcosm of a broader sickness.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The most sicknesses were reported in Michigan.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sickness
ABC News, 9 May 2026
City officials did not immediately respond to a question Thursday afternoon about whether any bacterial sickness in humans had been reported.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The turmoil within the Star Wars fandom, in Carano’s telling, is a microcosm of a broader sickness.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
The most sicknesses were reported in Michigan.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sickness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sickness
Noun
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Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by a virus that can result in serious illness and death in birds and mammals.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Over time, however, the disease has spread across the East Coast and Midwest, with diagnoses reaching 35 states.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
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In later life, this formative programming can increase the risk of not only mental illnesses like depression, but physical diseases too, such as cancer and obesity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Authorities said numerous first responders began experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
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During the response, authorities said 18 first responders were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms that included nausea and dizziness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The death was attributed to a liver ailment, which veterans said had nothing to do with Siwash’s fondness for beer.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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In January, Collins opened up to BBC Two about the chronic ailments that previously prompted him to retire from performing following Genesis’ final tour in 2022.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The catalog of ills is familiar.—
Danielle Allen,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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Chambers grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, which has become something of a poster-child of the ills of deindustrialization.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Most people infected do not develop symptoms, but some may experience fever, headaches, body aches or, in rare cases, serious neurological illness, the department said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
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The only way to help those infected is to provide supportive care, health officials say, like giving medicine to support blood pressure, reduce vomiting and diarrhea, and manage fever and pain.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sickness. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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