UNWELL Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

unwell

adjective

ˌən-ˈwel

Definition of unwell

as in sick

temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body she missed work because she was unwell

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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 unwell Four remaining lions are recovering, but three others are still unwell and undergoing treatment, the zoo said. — Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 Sadly, as the shed neared completion, Scott was too unwell to visit and passed away in November 2024. — New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026 Behind the polished facades, roughly nine out of ten were privately exhausted, unwell, or both, and had normalized that reality as an occupational hazard. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 At this point in the episode, we’ve been treated to another major revelation that Juliette Lewis’s wild card of a character is his mentally unwell sister, Crystal, and Cady is trying to track her down. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwell

Adjective

Some recalls, Eskin said, are made after companies’ routine testing catches a pathogen before anyone gets sick, while others involve outbreaks that are already underway and vary widely in size and severity.

— Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Sanchez also ordered a meal from Taco Bell, but didn’t get sick.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sick

Adjective

For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.

— Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025

Definition of poorly

Adjective

Still, the emotionally stunted John claims not to harbor ill feelings toward Hal, though this is most certainly challenged by the end of the episode.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
If she is deemed no longer mentally ill and not a danger to the community, she could be released following a hearing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ill

Adjective

Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Although rarely seen, its reemergence earlier this summer is a signal of how bad the region’s ongoing drought has gotten, as well as a warning for the difficult months ahead.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of bad

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unwelcome

unwell

unwellness

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“Unwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwell. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwell

adjective

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