ills

NOUN

misfortune

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse affliction ailment disease disorder evil illness infirmity malady malaise misery pain sickness suffering syndrome trouble woe

STRONG

affection badness complaint condition cruelty damage depravity destruction harm hurt indisposition injury insult malice mischief trial tribulation unpleasantness wickedness wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid blessing cheer comfort good health happiness health healthiness help joy pleasure well-being

STRONG

benefit favor friendliness good improvement kindness peace praise right thoughtfulness virtue

WEAK

fortune luck privilege profit prosperity

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.

Ultimately, a ballot initiative won’t cure the ills that plague healthcare in the United States, said the Lown Institute’s Saini.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

"I think we should be able to prescribe singing on the NHS because I think it would cure a lot of ills."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

He shot the new movie on an iPhone, for one thing, even as he questions the smartphone’s contribution to our easy disengagement with the world’s ills.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The temptation to find corporate scapegoats for social ills is great.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

The vice president of the Durham Merchants Association complained, with some justification, that the business community was being blamed for all of Durham’s ills.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson