ills
Plagues of society
Ills are troubles, problems, or afflictions—things that cause suffering or distress.
The word appears most often in discussions of widespread problems: social ills, the ills of modern society, economic ills.
It can also refer to physical ailments, though this usage sounds old-fashioned: suffering from various ills.
Bodily disorder or disease
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
contagion · pathogen · diagnosis · symptoms · morbidity · mortality · chronic · acute
Minor health problem
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- painBodily or emotional distress
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
adversity · misfortune · trouble · woe · torment · agony · grief · sorrow
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
oppression · exploitation · prejudice · marginalization · disparity · homelessness · unemployment · violence
Mild persistent worry
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- weaknessDeficiency in force
listlessness · languor · indisposition · weariness · restlessness · malaise · discontent · dissatisfaction
sickness
Bodily disorder or disease
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
pandemic · contagion · pathogen · diagnosis · symptoms · morbidity · mortality · chronic · acute · syndrome
ailment
Minor health problem
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- painBodily or emotional distress
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
hardship · adversity · misfortune · trouble · woe · torment · agony · grief · sorrow · hurt
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
corruption · oppression · exploitation · prejudice · marginalization · disparity · homelessness · unemployment · violence · crime
unease
Mild persistent worry
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
weakness · listlessness · languor · indisposition · weariness · restlessness · malaise · discontent · dissatisfaction · stagnation
illsblessings
Favors from the divine
benefits · goods · fortunes · boons · advantages
- illegal dumpingUnlawful waste disposal
- mental illnessDisorder affecting cognition or mood
- ill willHostile or unfriendly feeling
- illegal drugsOutlawed intoxicating substances
- terminal illnessIncurable, deadly medical condition
- fall illBecome unwell
ill, illness, illegal, illicit, illegally, illnesses, illiberal, illegality, illimitable