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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As a result, illnesses commonly spread via milk became less prevalent.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Over half of the illnesses are in children younger than 5.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Supplements can’t claim to treat specific diseases or medical conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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There are over 10,000 rare diseases — 95% of which don't have a cure.—
Brad Quick,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both ailments required offseason surgery.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
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These bacteria are known to cause a host of ailments, including listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, miscarriage, brucellosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, reactive arthritis and death.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In his songs, the Virginia rapper renders societal ills in high definition.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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The first New Mexico trial on the ills and dangers of social media platforms began in February after a nearly three-year probe by the state.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Following the diagnosis, Urso, 40, began treatment that has included extended hospital stays, fevers and rigorous chemotherapy sessions.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sicknesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sicknesses. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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