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Showing results for syphilis. Search instead for syphilit.
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.

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

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2020, as in other military towns across the U.S., rates of sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, herpes simplex and HIV are among the highest in the country.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2025

You can prevent crimes just by scrubbing off graffiti and arresting fare-beaters: crime epidemics have Tipping Points every bit as simple and straightforward as syphilis in Baltimore or a fashion trend like Hush Puppies.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell