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.

And there was: There had been some progress, with oxytetracycline, OTC for short, a powerful antibiotic that is used to treat chlamydia and sometimes syphilis in humans.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

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

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

I told her that doctors used to use the word idiocy to refer to mental retardation, and to the brain damage that accompanied hereditary syphilis.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

syphilis

Example Sentences

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