sickening

adjective

sick·​en·​ing ˈsi-kə-niŋ 

ˈsik-niŋ

: causing sickness or disgust

a sickening odor

a sickening display

sickeningly

ˈsi-kə-niŋ-lē 

ˈsik-niŋ-

adverb

Synonyms

• abhorrent
• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• ugly

Examples of sickening in a Sentence

a sickening display of selfishness

We heard the squeal of brakes and a sickening thud.

Recent Examples on the Web

The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening. —The Dial, 18 Mar. 2025

The ceaselessly rolling, jolting boat was sickening to him, too. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

To mark Top Chef: Destination Canada's debut, Entertainment Weekly is ranking all 21 original Top Chef seasons, from the succulent to the sickening. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2025

Measles had struck this West Texas town, sickening dozens of children, but at the Community Church of Seminole, more than 350 worshippers gathered for a Sunday service. —Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sickening

• be sickening for

Rhymes for sickening

• quickening
• thickening

Kids Definition

sickening

adjective

sick·​en·​ing

ˈsik-(ə-)niŋ

: causing sickness or disgust

a sickening sight

sickeningly adverb

Medical Definition

sickening

adjective

sick·​en·​ing ˈsik-(ə-)niŋ 

: causing sickness or nausea