as in illnesses
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sicknesses
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
And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
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
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
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
And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sicknesses
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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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
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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
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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
-
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
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In his songs, the Virginia rapper renders societal ills in high definition.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Measles symptoms, including high fevers, watery eyes, cough, rash and runny nose, can appear up to 21 days after initial exposure.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Others welcome the review, pointing to adverse reactions that have been reported among babies who got the shots, including fevers, seizures and even some deaths.—
March 25,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sicknesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sicknesses. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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