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.
In the case of the cyclospora outbreak, Taylor Farms initiated a recall of iceberg lettuce after reports of sickness emerged from across the country. — Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Difficult interactions with the government intensify the sickness of sickness and the trauma of trauma. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 But one legal battle over lifesaving care drew attention in the 1960s, as sickness made its way through a Followers family in a Boise suburb. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026 Visiting different checkpoints meant my sickness excuse worked on each of them. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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