diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
Synonyms of diarrheanext
1
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)
Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.
2
: excessive flow
verbal diarrhea
diarrheal
ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-əl How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
adjective
diarrheic
ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ik How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
adjective
diarrhetic
ˌdī-ə-ˈre-tik How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of diarrhea

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Examples of diarrhea in a Sentence

The symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea. I was taken with severe diarrhea while attending the conference.
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.
Ginger supplements may cause side effects, including abdominal discomfort, heartburn, and diarrhea, particularly at higher doses. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 28 Oct. 2026 The short-term side effects have been well advertised (and experienced), as 28 percent of respondents diagnosed with obesity currently on a GLP-1 had dealt with nausea or vomiting and 42 percent reported diarrhea and constipation. — Natalia Johnsen, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026 And despite their popularity, probiotics are not recommended for preventing travelers’ diarrhea, as their efficacy is still unknown. — Andrés Henao, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 Another, published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, involved a man who developed fever and severe diarrhea after eating undercooked pigeon meat. — Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diarrhea

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diarrhea was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing diarrhea

Rhymes for diarrhea

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Browse Nearby Words

diarize
diarrhea
diarrhee
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Cite this Entry

“Diarrhea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diarrhea. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun
di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun
di·​ar·​rhea
variants or chiefly British diarrhoea
ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools

More from Merriam-Webster on diarrhea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diarrhea

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