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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poor
falling short of a standard
such ill behavior will not be tolerated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in no
certainly not
you can ill afford to miss another day of work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evil
that which is morally unacceptable
idealistic people who try to cure all of our society's ills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ill
Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
To date, 147 people have been reportedly diagnosed with TB in the outbreak, with 67 becoming ill.
—Karen Dobos, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2025
Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
One of the best ways to help reduce your chances of falling ill with the virus is to frequently wash your hands.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
During the Cold War, population control came to be seen as a kind of master key—a panacea for social and political ills.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Adjective
These volunteers have been too ill or were otherwise ineligible for a human organ transplant.
—Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
To date, 147 people have been reportedly diagnosed with TB in the outbreak, with 67 becoming ill.
—Karen Dobos, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2025
Adverb
His behavior was made public by his wife, a young mother based in Quebec, Canada, who fell dangerously ill recently and pleaded with her husband to come home from work as a result.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
One of the best ways to help reduce your chances of falling ill with the virus is to frequently wash your hands.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
The big picture: The Trump administration is working to erase diversity initiatives from the federal government and in schools as President Trump blames DEI for many ills of the nation, from the deadly plane collision outside D.C. to falling student test scores.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
During the Cold War, population control came to be seen as a kind of master key—a panacea for social and political ills.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill
Adjective
-
Nearly 95 people got sick during a norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line ship, the cruise line’s fourth this year.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alum Tracy Morgan caused a temporary delay at Monday night's NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat after the actor and comedian got sick in his courtside seat during the second half, and later sharing an update on his condition from a hospital bed.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Test results from Consumer Reports found potentially harmful chemicals in roughly half of the formula products.—
Geoff Harris,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Mar. 2025
-
This can be extremely harmful to the lungs of at-risk people, including children whose lungs are still developing, pregnant women, older adults and those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes, according to the American Lung Assn.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment.—
Adam Taylor,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2024
-
Story will be a free agent and at this stage why would an accomplished player stay with the poorly run Rockies?—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
27 Mar. 2021
Adjective
-
But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The county’s response to the Tijuana River sewage crisis has been very poor.—
Emily Alvarenga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The trailer is pretty ominous, hinting at the many disruptions to the relative peace at the Jackson compound that are to come in Season 2.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The best part of this local-founded, women-run shop is no doubt the custom cowboy hats.—
Sophie-Claire Hoeller,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The fast turnaround was no doubt enabled by landing the booster back near the launch site, speeding the process of inspecting and refurbishing the rocket.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder affecting the nervous system that worsens over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
-
An outbreak in Texas has dominated headlines recently as the death of an unvaccinated school-age child was the first fatality from the disease in the U.S. since 2015.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Givens is an old-fashioned hero in a modern world, dealing with the forces of evil in his corner of Eastern Kentucky, particularly one tough guy played unforgettably by Walton Goggins.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Eddie Barrish, the financially desperate, hapless criminal in this high-concept thriller, is played by Bill Skarsgard, who for once is on the receiving end of evil.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share