sicken

verb

sick·​en ˈsi-kən 

sickened; sickening ˈsi-kə-niŋ 

ˈsik-niŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to become sick

2

: to become weary or satiated

transitive verb

1

: to make sick

2

: to cause revulsion in

their prejudice sickens me

sickener

ˈsi-kə-nər 

ˈsik-nər

noun

Synonyms

• disgust
• gross out
• nauseate
• put off
• repel
• repulse
• revolt
• turn off

Examples of sicken in a Sentence

Many people sickened and died on the long voyage.

The bacteria in the drinking water sickened the whole village.

We were sickened by the reports of violence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Public health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to Christmas meals at a Seattle emergency shelter that sickened at least 14 people, including five who were hospitalized. —Axios Seattle, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025

And in Hawaii, the virus caused a popular hiking spot to close after dozens of campers were sickened with the virus. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

The virus then quickly sickened many other animals across the sanctuary. —Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024

However, the chain closed in 2004 following a hepatitis A outbreak at a Pittsburgh-area location traced to green onions served in its complimentary salsa, sickening about 650 people and resulting in four deaths and several hundred lawsuits. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sicken

• sicken of

Kids Definition

sicken

verb

sick·​en ˈsik-ən 

sickened; sickening -(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become sick

Medical Definition

sicken

transitive verb

sick·​en ˈsik-ən 

: to make sick

intransitive verb

: to become sick