symptoms

plural of symptom
as in manifestations
something that indicates the presence of something else (such as a disease or problem) A sore throat, a runny nose, and frequent sneezing are some of the symptoms of the common cold. Homelessness is only a symptom of larger problems in our society.

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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 symptoms Clancy’s doctors took her on and off medications to treat the depression, which her attorney has said worsened her symptoms. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Staying informed about health can be helpful, but repeatedly searching for symptoms can reinforce anxiety, according to Pittenger. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 July 2026 The solutions being proposed and inane rhetoric from people such as Johnson are just massaging the symptoms rather than dealing with the real problems. Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 Men also need to be screened for conditions that may worsen with testosterone replacement such as sleep apnea, high risk for prostate cancer, heart failure or heart disease, or urinary symptoms of thrombophilia (high levels of red blood cells). Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 2026 Officials say that anyone in a sensitive group should watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and take precautions against prolonged exposure. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 In the summer, antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin and Benadryl, along with other allergy medicines, can help relieve symptoms, like sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses. Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, memory problems, and balance difficulties. Dr. Tal Patalon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Donors should be in good health with no cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms and should bring a photo ID. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for symptoms
Noun
  • In Salento, each town nestled into a shallow valley or slim rise has its own dialectal name for the almond in its varied manifestations—as tree, as fruit, as orchard.
    Angelica Calabrese, Longreads, 7 July 2026
  • The persistence of these misconceptions matters because clinicians and the public alike may expect Ebola to look dramatic from the outset, when in reality its early manifestations often resemble many other common infectious diseases.
    Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • There were no immediate, obvious signs of foul play or trauma on Wells’ body, Lynd told CNN.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • On Saturday, rescue crews aided by dogs and detectors found signs of life, confirming that at least one survivor was still trapped beneath the rubble.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • As far as the on-field characteristics, the Cubs see a super-athletic pitcher who, despite being only 6-foot-1, can hold his 95-mph heater into games.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • For black holes, this measure of entropy is connected to characteristics like spin and energy, which means it could be used to understand how these cosmic titans respond to different events.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2026

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“Symptoms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/symptoms. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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