sicken

verb
sick·​en | \ ˈsi-kən How to pronounce sicken (audio) \
sickened; sickening\ ˈsi-​kə-​niŋ How to pronounce sickening (audio) , ˈsik-​niŋ \

Definition of sicken

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

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Other Words from sicken

sickener \ ˈsi-​kə-​nər How to pronounce sickener (audio) , ˈsik-​nər \ noun

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

Salmonella is one of the most frequently reported foodborne illnesses in the United States, sickening an estimated 1.2 million people a year and killing approximately 450. Hollie Silverman, CNN, "Dole recalls baby spinach over salmonella concerns," 13 Aug. 2019 Martin said the veterinarian told them that blue-green algae sickened the dogs, causing their livers to shut down, which would lead to internal bleeding. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "A couple took their 3 dogs to a pond. Then toxic algae killed the pets," 12 Aug. 2019 The Legislature approved the bill after a measles outbreak traced to unvaccinated visitors at Disneyland sickened at least 147 people. Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "Parents block California’s effort to investigate ‘fake’ vaccine exemptions," 12 Aug. 2019 That’s the headliner, on the festival’s main stage: Ibsen’s classic about a family and a society possessed (and literally sickened) by inbred amorality. Jesse Green, New York Times, "On Adjacent Stages, Two Haunted Houses, Circa 1882 and 2019," 12 Aug. 2019 The air and water discharges from the plants sickened people and poisoned the river, an Ohio tributary. Keith Schneider, ProPublica, "West Virginia Bets Big on Plastics, and on Backing of Trump Administration," 31 July 2019 No recruits in basic training were affected, and there was so far no evidence that mold had sickened any recruit on Lackland and Bullis. Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "Mold found in 1,100 dorm rooms on Lackland," 31 July 2019 These two reasons alone are enough for the Toon to feel sickened at the potential appointment. SI.com, "5 Reasons Why Steve Bruce Is the Perfect Fit for Newcastle United," 11 July 2019 The parasite originates in rodents and is transferred through the sickened rat's feces, which some snails and worms feed on. Fox News, "Texas woman discovers horde of black worms known to carry dangerous parasite in backyard," 4 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sicken.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sicken

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

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More Definitions for sicken

sicken

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sicken

somewhat formal : to become sick or to cause (someone) to become sick
: to cause (someone) to feel disgusted or angry

sicken

verb
sick·​en | \ ˈsi-kən How to pronounce sicken (audio) \
sickened; sickening

Kids Definition of sicken

1 : to make or become sick or ill Many of the colonists sickened on the long voyage.
2 : to cause to feel disgusted or angry We were sickened by his cruelty.
sick·​en | \ ˈsik-ən How to pronounce sicken (audio) \

Medical Definition of sicken

: to make sick

intransitive verb

: to become sick

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