as in illness
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
they caught a rare disease while they were traveling in Africa and were sick for weeks
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Recent Examples of disease
In the last few days of the session, lawmakers also sped through approving a controversial measure that banned businesses and schools from requiring medical interventions, including vaccines and any action taken to prevent the spread of diseases.
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Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2025
Anastasi adds that obesity can be another major contributor of hip pain for many of the same reasons, but this time because hip joints and cartilage are affected by excess weight instead of disease.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Keeping Kyrgyzstan’s children safe from disease outbreaks In 2024, Europe and Central Asia saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years
Measles is an extremely contagious, airborne virus: for every person who has measles, another 12 to 18 people will be infected.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
It has been used to treat nerve disorders, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease, and it has also been used as an aphrodisiac.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disease
Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2025
Anastasi adds that obesity can be another major contributor of hip pain for many of the same reasons, but this time because hip joints and cartilage are affected by excess weight instead of disease.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Keeping Kyrgyzstan’s children safe from disease outbreaks In 2024, Europe and Central Asia saw the highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years
Measles is an extremely contagious, airborne virus: for every person who has measles, another 12 to 18 people will be infected.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
It has been used to treat nerve disorders, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease, and it has also been used as an aphrodisiac.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disease
Noun
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While Kennedy is correct in his statement that some chronic disease and cancer rates have risen, public health experts said -- and data shows -- that the country has made great progress tackling illnesses, including driving down cancer mortality rates, and that life expectancy is on the rise.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
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The Defense Department report noted hundreds of cases of Navy SEALs coming down with acute gastrointestinal illness, crippling diarrhea, from swimming and training in polluted waters just off the coast of Coronado and Imperial Beach.—
Kimberly Dickson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Supports the immune system and may help prevent seasonal ailments such as colds and flu.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
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James averaged 25 points (51.7% shooting from the field, 38.4% from 3-point range), 8.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds while playing in 58 of the Lakers’ first 62 games before missing time because of the groin ailment.—
Khobi Price,
Orange County Register,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Untangling the knot of pollution in these places is slow work, in part because federal laws don’t adequately address overlapping environmental ills: The Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act regulate only one form and one source of pollution at a time.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
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Musk’s actions have been cheered by many conservatives, who have long accused the federal government of being a breeding ground of sloth and incompetence, where the nation’s ills originate.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Others say excessive fluoride intake could cause dental fluorosis, a cosmetic disorder where the teeth become mottled.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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Anxiety disorder Depression Panic disorder Other Medical Conditions Some systemic (whole-body) medical conditions are linked to photophobia.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Prenuptial Pancreatitis The day before the wedding, the bride-to-be has a fever, jaundice of the eyes, and is diaphoretic — that is, sweating profuseful.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
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How symptoms of measles compare in children and adults According to the CDC, measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some of your co-stars have described treacherous filming conditions in Thailand.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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Individuals with certain medical conditions (e.g., bleeding disorders, low blood pressure, or liver disease): Fish oil can worsen these conditions.—
Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ed has been called to be the United States Attorney for Washington, DC, perhaps the most powerful prosecutor in the country, with the ability to shape the application of justice in our Nation’s Capital, routing out the sickness and corruption and bringing hope nee hope to America.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
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What Science Says Taking immune-boosting supplements is touted as a way to strengthen one's body’s ability to fight off an infection rather than avoid sickness altogether.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disease. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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