distemper 1 of 2

noun

Definition of distempernext
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning contracted some tropical distemper while he was doing research in the jungles of Borneo

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distemper

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈtem-pər How to pronounce distemper (audio)
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy despite his career success, he has been distempered by nagging feelings of inadequacy his whole life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distemper
Noun
According to the shelter, staff had already been monitoring for signs of distemper due to cases reported in surrounding counties. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 Per Cook County ordinance, dog owners also must submit their dogs' vaccine records — with proof of their dogs' vaccines or titers (antibodies) for rabies, distemper (CFV), hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus-2), parainfluenza (CPIV), parvovirus (CPV), leptospirosis, and Bordetella (kennel cough). — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Mother had purchased a new bed and armoire for his room, and the walls were freshly distempered. — Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
  1. disease
  2. alarm
  3. illness
  4. disturb
  5. ailment
  6. distress
  7. ill
  8. bother
Noun
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are difficult to study, in part because diagnosing the disease early in people is challenging.
    — Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Younger demographics are being diagnosed with increasing cases of colon cancer, and people of color face disproportionately higher mortality rates from the disease.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • Investors have grown increasingly alarmed over the eurozone’s debt burden, moribund economic growth, and persistent inflation.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a former prosecutor who is a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, is alarmed by the dramatic variation across the country.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarm
Noun
  • Authorities have said Ervebo could offer some protection against Bundibugyo, but whether the vaccine can actually prevent illness is still being studied.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Blanchard has said her mother abused her for years and forced her to fake serious illnesses.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of illness
Verb
  • If anything, the University of Toronto researchers discovered, we humans are the ones disturbing our dogs’ sleep.
    — Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The disembodied emcee voice for the performance only asks that flash not be used, and that any photography or videography not disturb surrounding attendees.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Noun
  • Another handful of Panthers injuries to monitor The Panthers also have a few ailments to keep track of during the Week 5 bye.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ailment
Verb
  • Zara Larsson packed five looks into 24 hours in New York, with enough platforms, strappy sandals and distressed denim to outfit a few nights out in the 2000s.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The club were accused of using aggressive communications in outlining the possible sanctions, which left some fans distressed at the prospect of losing their seat.
    — Ben Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • In the story, the duck doesn’t make it, and the now-ill patient didn’t wear any gloves while handling it.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The game’s maker, Paolo Pedercini, has long diagnosed the ills of modern capitalism through countercultural video games like Phone Story (2011), which depicted the exploitative supply chain of a smartphone.
    — Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ill
Verb
  • After all, casinos don’t bother to make distinctions, labeling all winning systems as criminal.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Still bothered by nagging arm and knee issues, Ohtani batted second behind Betts.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother

Browse Nearby Words

distastes
distemper
distemperature
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Cite this Entry

“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on distemper

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about distemper

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