as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
an 18th-century quack who specialized in those mysterious infirmities that are known only to the idle rich
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Recent Examples of infirmities
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said protecting elderly people from predators who take advantage of their mental or physical infirmities is a priority of her office.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Because of his infirmities, he is housed in a medical unit of the jail, away from the general population.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Because of his infirmities, he is housed in a medical unit of the jail, away from the general population.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infirmities
Noun
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Taking them to their natural habitat in Africa isn’t feasible, given their limited gene pool and chance of carrying diseases.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
1 May 2026
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Inspect regularly for pests and diseases.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Noun
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More players, including goalkeeper CJ dos Santos, continue to work their way back from various ailments.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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A lot of issues came up in this week’s debate, but interestingly enough, the ailments affecting the entertainment industry and workers here in Southern California and throughout the state did not come up.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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But illnesses in other states could be possible, CDC officials added.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The expectations, the hope is so high for that prescription to be the salve for their ills.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
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And this one guy at this one firm can't solve all of his industry's ills.—
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The condition can cause pain, infections and fevers.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
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In addition to fevers and continuous, watery diarrhea, rotavirus symptoms in babies and children can also include loss of appetite and dehydration, per the NFID.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infirmities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infirmities. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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