sickening

1 of 2

adjective

sick·​en·​ing ˈsi-kə-niŋ How to pronounce sickening (audio)
ˈsik-niŋ
Synonyms of sickeningnext
: causing sickness or disgust
a sickening odor
a sickening display
sickeningly
ˈsi-kə-niŋ-lē How to pronounce sickening (audio)
ˈsik-niŋ-
adverb

sickening

2 of 2

present participle of sicken

Synonyms of sickening

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Adjective

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Examples of sickening in a Sentence

Adjective a sickening display of selfishness We heard the squeal of brakes and a sickening thud.
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Adjective
Advertisement In Brazil and South America, outbreaks of a fungus that causes a disfiguring and sometimes fatal skin disease have been sickening cats, dogs, and people. — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 27 Oct. 2026 And, of course, leave it to Zendaya to add some sickening vintage to the WNBA Finals. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 The accounts from lawmakers and congressional staffers are sickening. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 Its pristine, almost peaceful harps make the song sound somehow pleasantly sickening. — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sickening

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickening was in 1789

Phrases Containing sickening

Rhymes for sickening

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Browse Nearby Words

sickener
sickening
sickeningly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sickening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickening. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sickening

adjective
sick·​en·​ing
ˈsik-(ə-)niŋ
: causing sickness or disgust
a sickening sight
sickeningly adverb

Medical Definition

sickening

adjective
sick·​en·​ing ˈsik-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce sickening (audio)
: causing sickness or nausea
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