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

Staring down the pretend map on the seat of the pretend plane from the real seat of my real plane, a familiar, sickening taste rose up my throat: ironic detachment, the unadulterated flavor of purity’s momentary success. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024

The nondescript citrus flavor is wrapped in a cloud of vanilla that exits the palate just a moment before becoming sickening. —Pete Cottell, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024

Managers instructed an employee to spray bleach on the area without safety gear, releasing sickening fumes that caused another worker to break out in hives, according to an eyewitness. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 6 Aug. 2024

Chicagoans today are remembering the sickening Dave Matthews Band incident from 20 years ago that got regrettably flushed into history forever. —Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sickening

• be sickening for

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