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Showing results for syphilis. Search instead for syphili.
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

But the overall figure for syphilis, including what is called late-stage syphilis, or complications from the infection, rose 5% to 13,030.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

All it took, he said, was the demolition of a handful of housing projects and the abandonment of homes in key downtown neighborhoods to send syphilis over the top.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

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