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Showing results for syphilis.
Definitions

syphilis

[sif-uh-lis] / ˈsɪf ə lɪs /
NOUN
sexually transmitted disease
Synonyms
STRONGEST
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome gonorrhea herpes the clap venereal disease
WEAK
HIV SIDA STD VD chancroid chlamydia clap crab louse crabs genital herpes genital warts herpes simplex scabies social disease tabes dorsalis
NOUN
venereal disease
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gonorrhea herpes pox
WEAK
STD VD crabs sexually-transmitted disease social disease the clap

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.

Each causes a different disease: syphilis, yaws, and bejel.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

This bacterium is responsible for several serious infectious diseases today, including syphilis.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

Other STIs are also on the rise, with syphilis cases last year reaching their highest level in seven decades.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

Primary and secondary syphilis cases dropped 10% from 2022, and newborn syphilis increased by 3% after increasing by an alarming 30% in prior years.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025

Inside the hospital, where Theo van Gogh struggles through the last stages of syphilis, there is no sun at all.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.