sicken

verb

sick·​en ˈsi-kən How to pronounce sicken (audio)
sickened; sickening ˈsi-kə-niŋ How to pronounce sicken (audio)
ˈsik-niŋ
Synonyms of sickennext

intransitive verb

1
: to become sick
2
: to become weary or satiated

transitive verb

1
: to make sick
2
: to cause revulsion in
their prejudice sickens me
sickener
ˈsi-kə-nər How to pronounce sicken (audio)
ˈsik-nər
noun

Synonyms of sicken

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Examples of sicken in a Sentence

Many people sickened and died on the long voyage. The bacteria in the drinking water sickened the whole village. We were sickened by the reports of violence.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Michigan health officials say new cases of cyclosporiasis are declining in the state hit hardest by an outbreak that has sickened more than 12,000 people and left two dead in the state since June. — Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 Illinois came in second with 30 people sickened, followed by Kansas with 13. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 No products have been linked to the other outbreaks, including one that has sickened 115 people. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 The outbreak has sickened at least 345 people in 27 states, with Minnesota and Colorado accounting for the vast majority of cases at 110 each. — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sicken

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sicken was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing sicken

Rhymes for sicken

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Browse Nearby Words

sick day
sicken
sickener
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Cite this Entry

“Sicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sicken. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sicken

verb
sick·​en ˈsik-ən How to pronounce sicken (audio)
sickened; sickening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce sicken (audio)
: to make or become sick

Medical Definition

sicken

transitive verb
sick·​en ˈsik-ən How to pronounce sicken (audio)
: to make sick

intransitive verb

: to become sick

More from Merriam-Webster on sicken

Nglish: Translation of sicken for Spanish Speakers

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