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.
He said Garner was the primary carer for his partner Lauren Lawler, who had been diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin's lymphoma and, when she was ill, he cared for their children.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
Seve, for instance, is in ill health and drowning in Amazon boxes inside his Baltimore apartment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
“My apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly,” Carpenter wrote Saturday on X. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better!”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
Despite holding vast strategic reserves, it can ill afford a protracted interruption in supply.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
He relished every berry and showed no ill effects.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
