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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distemper
Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
For other diseases like parvovirus and distemper, vaccination rates were even lower.
—Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
These vaccinations, which include bordetella bronchiseptica, distemper, canine hepatitis and parainfluenza, help shield puppies and dogs from potential diseases.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Gary is about 14 weeks old and recently got a distemper shot in his left leg.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Noun
In addition to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the stray dogs have been implicated in cases of dog bites and rabies in people, and parvo and distemper in pets.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
For other diseases like parvovirus and distemper, vaccination rates were even lower.
—Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
These vaccinations, which include bordetella bronchiseptica, distemper, canine hepatitis and parainfluenza, help shield puppies and dogs from potential diseases.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Gary is about 14 weeks old and recently got a distemper shot in his left leg.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for distemper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distemper
Noun
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Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder affecting the nervous system that worsens over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
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An outbreak in Texas has dominated headlines recently as the death of an unvaccinated school-age child was the first fatality from the disease in the U.S. since 2015.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kennedy’s reaction to measles outbreaks alarms public health experts because the former lawyer embraces myths that vitamin A and cod liver oil are effective against the virus.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
13 Mar. 2025
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Trump has alarmed European allies by appearing to turn toward Moscow, breaking with decades of U.S. foreign policy.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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All are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat many different types of bacterial illness.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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Her face, framed by blond, braided pigtails, showed no sign of illness.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The last four losses have been particularly distressing.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2025
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The dark wood has been stained and distressed for a rustic finish.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ Top have announced that their longtime drummer, Frank Beard, is taking a break from touring to treat an undisclosed ailment.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
17 Mar. 2025
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After years of mid-season ailments, Horn was able to play in 15 games, while producing 68 tackles, two sacks, 13 pass breakups and an interception.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Carsley said during his spell as interim coach that White still had his ‘do not disturb’ status activated after Southgate’s departure last summer.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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Seeing the body disturbs Mickey to her core, and sets her on a path to find Kacey.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The book doesn’t find a clear answer to its titular question but breaks a taboo by searching for one in choices made by Iranians themselves and not just ills done to them by outsiders.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2025
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Exemptions from fasting are made for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, and the ill.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2025
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The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distemper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distemper. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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