Synonyms for Ill
Definition of ill
adverb
- (`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; "he was ill prepared"; "it ill befits a man to betray old friends"; "the car runs badly"; "he performed badly on the exam"; "the team played poorly"; "ill-fitting clothes"; "an ill- conceived plan"
- unfavorably or with disapproval; "tried not to speak ill of the dead"; "thought badly of him for his lack of concern"
- with difficulty or inconvenience; scarcely or hardly; "we can ill afford to buy a new car just now"
20 synonyms found
Writing tips for "ill"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like afflicted, aguish, ailing can replace "ill" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 20 alternatives available, "ill" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Ill" in song lyrics
See how ill is used in real songs:
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"The police called to say that your job is ill"
2 Live Crew — Revelation -
"The Crew don't know how to ill"
2 Live Crew — We Like to Chill -
"I'm the Brother Marquis and it's time to get ill"
2 Live Crew — We Like to Chill