sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
Synonyms of sicknessnext
1
a
: ill health : illness
b
: a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition
2
: a specific disease
3
: nausea, queasiness

Synonyms of sickness

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Examples of sickness in a Sentence

He died from an unknown sickness. she was plagued by sickness most of her adult life
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Those impulses may have been shaped not by paranoia, but by evolution, as a way of staving off sickness in an uncertain world. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 Some people, however, might go to urgent care or a specialist to diagnose their sickness or condition. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 This aligns with the sickness of our culture - lack of gratitude. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The Dallas Cowboys are currently passing around a sickness in the facility, as four players have had a practice or game status affected by an illness over the last week. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sickness

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickness was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing sickness

Rhymes for sickness

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Browse Nearby Words

sickly sweet
sickness
sickness benefit
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Cite this Entry

“Sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickness. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: ill health : illness
2
: a specific disease : malady
3
: nausea sense 1

Medical Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: the condition of being ill : ill health
2
: a specific disease
3
: nausea
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