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

Reviews of the film at the time tended to single out the career-best performance of Jason Patric, primarily because, as the aggro, rape-minded workout buddy to Eckhart’s weak-spined Barry, Patric’s is the showiest and most sickening role. —Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

The yearling scrambled back up its tree, then let go and fell, landing with a sickening thud. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

White House condemns 'sickening' Nazi march in Columbus, Ohio University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf denounced the posters last week. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024

What was sickening about being there in person was watching the Trump fans around me and realizing that there was nothing shocking about it to them. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 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