came down with

VERB

contract illness

Synonyms

WEAK

be stricken with catch contract fall ill fall victim to sicken take take sick

Antonyms

WEAK

be immune

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Health officials believe the couple who first came down with symptoms and later passed away may have been exposed to the virus while visiting Argentina before the ship’s departure.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Cooper came down with it and barely dragged one foot in bounds for the game-winning touchdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Zubaida and her mother came down with cholera shortly after arriving in the camp.

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2025

“Yeah, that risk is small,” she said on 48 Hours, “but I’m the one that came down with it. It happens. And it took my life away.”

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025

Martha hadn’t forgotten how we neglected her when she finally came down with the measles.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey