dysentery

Definition of dysenterynext
as in shigellosis
medical a serious disease that causes very frequent evacuation of fluid stools and a loss of blood

Related Words

Relevance

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 dysentery Francis Drake died of dysentery off the coast in 1596. David Amsden, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2025 Raymond Kinzounza, weak with dysentery, went to a makeshift hospital. Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025 In a similar vein, authors of early modern herbals such as John Gerard(e) instructed their readers to use different parts of the plant—its juice, flowers, rind, and seeds—to address stomach concerns, dysentery, dental health, wounds and bleeding, and menstrual health. Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025 From Near Tragedy to Nuptials Nick Cilberti was treated in a local hospital, as the soldiers became infected with dysentery and other diseases contracted in the hot, humid region, and was discharged a few months later. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dysentery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dysentery
Noun
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about a drug-resistant strain of shigella, a bacteria that commonly causes a gastrointestinal illness called shigellosis, as the agency is calling this new strain a public health threat.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Shigella, a gram-negative bacteria, causes a diarrheal illness called shigellosis.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Although most people with a salmonella infection will experience symptoms, like diarrhea, stomach pain and fever, most recover without seeking medical care.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Most people infected with salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually starting 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the CDC.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dysentery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dysentery. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on dysentery

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster