ill
Usage
What are other ways to say ill?
The adjective ill is more mild than evil or wicked, and it appears mainly in certain fixed expressions: ill will; ill-natured. Evil applies to that which violates or leads to the violation of moral law: evil practices. Wicked implies willful and determined doing of what is very wrong: a wicked plan. Bad is the broadest and simplest term: a bad man; bad habits.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.
A seriously ill passenger is medically evacuated to South Africa.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
A suspected outbreak of hantavirus, a rare but deadly disease that attacks the lungs, killed three people, and several others have become severely ill aboard a luxury cruise ship.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
The deceased man's wife -- who left the ship to accompany his body to South Africa -- died there 15 days later after also falling ill, with hantavirus confirmed as the cause on May 4.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
The Dutch government update said before her death she had boarded a KLM flight heading from Johannesburg to the Netherlands, but became ill before its departure.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
“No!” he shouted to the giant, hugging the skin flap tighter despite the fact that everything about this was making him ill.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
