sickening

adjective

sick·​en·​ing ˈsi-kə-niŋ How to pronounce sickening (audio)
ˈsik-niŋ
: causing sickness or disgust
a sickening odor
a sickening display
sickeningly
ˈsi-kə-niŋ-lē How to pronounce sickening (audio)
ˈsik-niŋ-
adverb

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
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.
It was announced shortly before Feb. 14, which marked seven years since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland and as our newspapers remain filled with tragic and preventable homicides caused by irresponsible gun owners, this move is sickening. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025 There’s a sickening, satisfying weight behind each strike here, especially with the sprays of blood when Matt repeatedly throws one goon against the wobbling refrigerator. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025 Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar. EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 The sickening explosion, on a clear and cold January morning, was witnessed by children in classrooms across the country because the crew included Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire schoolteacher who was to be the first American civilian in space. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sickening

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickening was in 1789

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sickening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickening. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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 How to pronounce sickening (audio)
: causing sickness or nausea

More from Merriam-Webster on sickening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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