UNWELL Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

unwell

adjective

ˌən-ˈwel

Definition of unwell

as in sick

temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body she missed work because she was unwell

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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 unwell Troubleshooting Tips If your Venus flytrap looks unwell, but is otherwise well watered, here’s what may be troubling your plant. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026 Alvarez missed training earlier on Wednesday after feeling unwell the day before, according to Atletico sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity. — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt pulled out of the race shortly before the stage after feeling unwell. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 After determining Descamps was too unwell to spend the night in jail, police officers challenged the hospital's decision to discharge him. — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unwell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwell

Adjective

Compiling and sharing data from large races can also help event organizers assess whether changes like earlier start times or alternate dates help reduce the number of people who get sick or hurt.

— STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Add a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, a loss, a lawsuit, a sick parent or a partner who travels, and the inventory stops being theoretical.

— Simbiat Adighije, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sick

Adjective

For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.

— Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025

Definition of poorly

Adjective

But then came the nightmare of Game 3, one of the Sox’s worst performances in weeks.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Specifically, people with worse fever tended to have more of a protein called flagellin in their systems than those with little to no fever.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

unwelcome

unwell

unwellness

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“Unwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwell. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unwell

adjective

Example Sentences

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