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.
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.
Adjective
Carter’s sickening spree ultimately came to an end after he was arrested by Detective Pete Willis. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Months later, with vaccination rates still dangerously low, measles broke out, sickening thousands. — Ali Swenson, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 More importantly, the China business, long a stalwart, started a sickening double-digit decline. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Aug. 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 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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