Synonyms for

Disease

Verb / dɪˈzi:z / Another word for disease — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

A disease is an illness or sickness that affects a person, animal, or plant.

Synonyms & similar words

illness sickness malady disorder affliction condition ailment infection virus bacteria plague epidemic pandemic outbreak contagion pathogen cancer syndrome injury trauma

Synonyms by register

Formal

ailment malady affliction disorder

Informal

bug sickness icky thing

Literary

plague scourge bane

Antonyms

health wellness vitality soundness well-being vigor

Common collocations

  • heart disease
  • infectious disease
  • mental disease
  • rare disease
  • common disease
  • spread of disease
  • fight disease
  • prevent disease

Word family

noun disease
verb diseased
adjective diseased

Usage note

While 'disease' can refer to any unhealthy condition, it is often used for more serious or chronic illnesses. 'Illness' and 'sickness' are more general terms.

Example sentences

  1. The flu is a common disease during winter.
  2. Some diseases can be prevented with vaccines.
  3. She was diagnosed with a rare disease.
  4. The disease spread quickly through the village.
  5. He was cured of his disease after taking medicine.

Quotes

  • The greatest wealth is health.
  • An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  • Health is not valued till sickness comes.

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