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Definitions

unwell

[uhn-wel] / ʌnˈwɛl /
ADJECTIVE
sick
Synonyms
WEAK
ailing bedridden broken down debilitated diseased feeble feverish frail hospitalized ill impaired in poor health incurable infected infirm invalid laid-up nauseated not feeling well run down sick as a dog sickly suffering under medication under the weather unhealthy weak

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.

The world number 28 started feeling unwell while playing during February's Middle East hard-court swing.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

"Many of these individuals are seriously unwell, so it is quite difficult to ascertain detailed timelines of exactly where they've been and who they've been in close contact with."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

She then spent a further period of time telephoning the A&E department but again could not get through, despite Frost being "significantly unwell".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is urged to go to their closest A&E department or call 999.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

There are no obvious signs of an unwell mind.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.