sicknesses

noun

plural of sickness
as in illnesses
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant or animal's normal bodily functioning a sickness that resulted in the death of millions of the nation's elm trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sicknesses And while children, the elderly and those with certain sicknesses or medications are most susceptible to heat illness – these temperatures affect everyone. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 At the end of the day, both doctors agree that hotel stays shouldn’t deter people from traveling altogether, since there are always ways to proactively minimize exposure and subsequent sicknesses. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026 Olena started with the children, the most vulnerable refugees as well as the most likely vectors of new sicknesses in the theater. — James Verini, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026 The most sicknesses were reported in Michigan. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026 Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors. — B. Derrick Taff, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2025 All their triumphs, all their sleepless nights, their loves and hates, their sicknesses, their schemes, their rises to power and their falls from it -- all gone. — Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sicknesses
  1. illnesses
  2. diseases
  3. ailments
  4. ills
  5. fevers
Noun
  • No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the recall notice.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Likewise, the agents that cause illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, mumps, pertussis, and strep throat can be transmitted as heavy droplets that land on mucous membranes.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of illnesses
Noun
  • Animal diseases also threaten our economy and food system, destroying more than 20% of global livestock production each year.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The couple created the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization whose efforts include curing, managing and preventing all diseases.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of diseases
Noun
  • The campaign is unfolding as the city contends with myriad urban ailments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley also are dealing with ailments, while offensive lineman Lane Johnson surprised everyone with his retirement mid-season.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ailments
Noun
  • Hilton has blasted Becerra as taking the state’s voters for granted, failing to hold public campaign events to explain his detailed plans to address California’s many ills.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Now, in The Social Reckoning, Sorkin focuses on the ills of the company Facebook eventually became.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ills
Noun
  • The Bundibugyo virus comes from the same family as the Ebola virus that caused the 2014 West Africa and 2018 Congo epidemics, causing the fatal fevers associated with Ebola.
    — Ananya Rupanagunta, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Listeria’s high fevers can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fevers

Browse Nearby Words

sickness
sicknesses
sicko
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Cite this Entry

“Sicknesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sicknesses. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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