sickening 1 of 2

Definition of sickeningnext

sickening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sicken

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 sickening
Adjective
The feds also looked over Bied’s sickening business partnership with his co-conspirator in Indonesia, who Bied purchased multiple orangutan and Javan leopard skulls from. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 Thanks to Epperson’s goal from the front-left side of the crease in the second OT, the Pioneers avoided a sickening taste of déjà vu. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
Flu season was particularly brutal last year, sickening at least 47 million Americans, hospitalizing 610,000 and killing 27,000, according to the CDC. Liz Szabo, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025 The illness spreads through the tribe, sickening one of its leaders and creating division and disorder. Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sickening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sickening
Adjective
  • The water is disgusting-looking.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
  • These words then take on guilt by association because of the things we have been socialized to find unpleasant, uncomfortable, or disgusting.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route.
    Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 24 Apr. 2026
  • There’s enough cop shows, stories about how horrible the world is, enough plot lines that are similar to each other.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Their banter is empty because outside the season’s premiere, The Boys hasn’t actually shown us this awful America, and how everyone within it, including celebrities, are at risk.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This state has had some awful governors, but none in modern times ever attempted anything so repugnant as exposing more children to deadly diseases, as DeSantis has.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the years since Boogie Nights, Leo has made an unlikely hit out of The Man in the Iron Mask, then took the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, showing off his range and turning that surreal and often horrifying movie into another $100 million feather in his cap.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The visage, created by Universal Studio’s then-lead makeup artist Jack Pierce for the 1931 film, was horrifying enough that its influence endured for almost 100 years.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the furthest part of space lies Dante 01, a detention facility that houses criminals who have committed the most shocking crimes imaginable.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Their latest documentary series looks set to continue that streak, exploring a shocking real case of love, betrayal, and justice.
    Fleurine Tideman, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Rudy Gobert followed his inspired Game 2 effort against Nikola Jokic by stifling the three-time MVP again on an ugly 7-for-26 shooting night, and the Timberwolves established a postseason franchise record by allowing the Nuggets just 11 points in the tone-setting first quarter.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sickening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sickening. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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