ILLNESS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

illness

noun

ˈil-nəs

Definition of illness

as in disease

an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning suffered from a mysterious illness that left her weak and tired all the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sickness

the condition of not being in good health prone to illness as a child, he was sent to a western ranch with the expectation that it would toughen him up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 illness What illness, which the institute studies, has been the subject of speculation about her death? — New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The illness is characterized by muscle rigidity in the torso, arms and legs. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Larsson was still dealing with the lingering effects of an illness that has also forced him to miss practice this week. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 The illness usually clears up on its own within one to two weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illness

Noun

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are difficult to study, in part because diagnosing the disease early in people is challenging.

— Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Younger demographics are being diagnosed with increasing cases of colon cancer, and people of color face disproportionately higher mortality rates from the disease.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

Even the pancreas of a character’s unseen wife, the sickness in which AIG promises to double back and cure if only everyone keeps hurtling forward.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
From sickness and ennui came the writing of an algorithm that would solve the underlying mathematics of the bomb.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sickness

Noun

Another handful of Panthers injuries to monitor The Panthers also have a few ailments to keep track of during the Week 5 bye.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.

— Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

Contact the treating clinician promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness or warmth, pus-like drainage, fever, extensive blistering, eye symptoms, or a reaction substantially more severe than described.

— Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Duale said the patient had symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, sore throat and painful swallowing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026