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

Figures show that gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by STIs, accounting for 75% of syphilis and 70% gonorrhoea cases in London last year.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

Overall, there were 9,535 diagnoses of what is described as early-stage syphilis in England in 2024, up 2% on 2023.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

But the lump tested negative for syphilis, so he told Henrietta she’d better go to the Johns Hopkins gynecology clinic.

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

syphilis

Example Sentences

Related Words