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
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Recent Examples of ill
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
In September, 71 passengers and one crew member fell ill due to a norovirus outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Injuries have swept through the league, and inexperienced or ill-fitting players have been forced into service as special-teams blockers.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
The show ill celebrate the nexus of film and fashion, with all of the proceeds going to the Entertainment Community Fund, with a focus on supporting costume community professionals impacted by this year’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
In September, 71 passengers and one crew member fell ill due to a norovirus outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Although meditation might seem ill suited to a man who couldn’t sit still, the austerity of Zen appealed to him, as did its emphasis on knowing, and thus mastering, the mind.
—Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Injuries have swept through the league, and inexperienced or ill-fitting players have been forced into service as special-teams blockers.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
The retraction was expected by many nutrition experts, who have long questioned claims that this kind of vinegar could remedy ills including obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Held at the Abrons Arts Center, a core program within the Henry Street Settlement, Bittar created his vision of a Nineties-era beauty pageant in a commentary reflecting current-day societal ills, primarily aimed at the LGBTQ community, notably trans women and women in general.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
The Star began writing about the concerns at Warren Hills in March, detailing how for years that teachers, staff and parents have been worried that something at the school may be making teachers and staff sick.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Although Hahne's daughter lived close enough to remain at home, Hahne made connections with families staying in the Ronald McDonald House while their sick children received care from Children's Hospital.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings come just a couple years after another study conducted by Spanish and Brazilian researchers revealed the existence of potentially harmful bisphenol chemicals in clothing sold in Spain for pregnant women, newborns and toddlers.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
-
According to one study, people may become either psychologically or physically dependent on caffeine, which may be harmful.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The researchers and their partners are also working to track local residents’ health and to measure how well or poorly interventions like masks and household air filters protected them.—
Maggie Astor,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
-
McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones delves into his own story of growing up in a poor community in Kentucky, and dealing with mental health struggles, both personally and within his family — as well as McDaniel’s story of being saved during a past suicide attempt years ago.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Several stories account for the ominous name of the stark, forbidding mountains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The free-trade agenda sought to deregulate the labor market and prioritize market efficiency, strengthening the hands of employers and severely weakening union and social movements, as anti-free traders had predicted.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
-
And with an additional 100 percent tariff imposed on Chinese imports, China’s economy would be severely slowed.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This season’s closeout lineup is no different, with deals up to 77% off.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The shutdown is in its fourth week and Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill appeared no closer to a deal to reopen it.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Indoor cats live for 15 to 17 years on average, while outdoor felines live only for 2 to 5 years due to dangers such as extreme temperatures, wildlife, and disease.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, foods like fatty fish, olive oil, berries, and leafy greens have strong evidence supporting their strong anti-inflammatory effects and their ability to protect against chronic inflammatory diseases.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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