1
2
as in harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
one of the ill effects of winter weather is the rapid spread of germs as people spend more time together indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in poorly
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
since I'm ill, I guess that I'll just have to miss that dental appointment
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4
as in poor
falling short of a standard
such ill behavior will not be tolerated
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5
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
the abrupt breakdown of negotiations appears to be an ill omen for this ongoing hostage situation
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1
as in severely
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
in those days society treated debtors very ill, even going so far as to put them in prison
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2
as in no
certainly not
you can ill afford to miss another day of work
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1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
chicken pox and the other ills that were once a fixture of childhood
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2
as in evil
that which is morally unacceptable
idealistic people who try to cure all of our society's ills
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3
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this
the travelers merrily set off on their journey, scarcely imagining the ills that would befall them
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ill
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
In December, about 100 passengers and 12 crew reported being ill during the Ruby Princess outbreak, after an outbreak on the Coral Princess in November where 55 passengers and 15 crew came down with the virus.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Reuters, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
His behavior was made public by his wife, a young mother based in Quebec, Canada, who fell dangerously ill recently and pleaded with her husband to come home from work as a result.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
As with so many of the US's ills, this problem is one that disproportionately affects the less affluent.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
On Monday night, the actor fell ill during the third quarter of a basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
In December, about 100 passengers and 12 crew reported being ill during the Ruby Princess outbreak, after an outbreak on the Coral Princess in November where 55 passengers and 15 crew came down with the virus.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Almost half died within 48 hours of falling ill, WHO said.
—Reuters, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
His behavior was made public by his wife, a young mother based in Quebec, Canada, who fell dangerously ill recently and pleaded with her husband to come home from work as a result.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
The 88-year-old pontiff has been recovering from double pneumonia and other ills.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
As with so many of the US's ills, this problem is one that disproportionately affects the less affluent.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
For the past week and a half, the phone has been ringing off the hook at SeaWorld’s rescue program as an algae bloom in coastal waters has caused a surge of sick marine mammals and birds.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
-
By many accounts, Planned Parenthood is an incurably sick beast whose time is nearing its end.—
Erik Baptist,
National Review,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure.—
Andrea Kane,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Make sure to not add dyes or sweeteners, which can be harmful to hummingbirds.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment.—
Adam Taylor,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2024
-
Story will be a free agent and at this stage why would an accomplished player stay with the poorly run Rockies?—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
27 Mar. 2021
Adjective
-
This can manifest in poor financial behaviors like excessive credit card debt, minimal savings, or impulsive investment decisions.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
After a strong opening period that took the fans at Bridgestone Arena out of the game, the Leafs allowed the Predators to get back in it with a poor middle frame.—
Omar White,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Although the change sounds ominous, the option only worked on three devices: the 4th generation Echo Dot, the Echo Show 10 and the Echo Show 15.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The ominous outlook sent FedEx shares down nearly 10 percent in Friday morning trading.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
At nearly $100 off, the Essential Curve Shoulder Bag is the perfect addition to your spring packing list, no matter the destination, and its casual bohemian style will instantly make any outfit appear relaxed and vacation-ready.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Comments Kelly Clarkson’s daughter River Rose is making sure her mom stays on task while filming her talk show no matter what.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Millions of Americans depend on our nation's research institutions for treatments and cures to the diseases that devastate families every day.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Soggy soil is a breeding ground for destructive pests and diseases.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Here, doing nothing when evil is committed is its own form of evil.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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