sicken

[ sik-uhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become sick.
2. to cause or experience disgust, outrage, or loathing.

   Synonyms: upset, outrage, disgust, revolt, repulse

sicken

/ ˈsɪkən /

verb

1. to make or become sick, nauseated, or disgusted
2. introften foll byfor to show symptoms (of an illness)

Other Words From

• re·sicken verb
• un·sickened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sicken¹

1150–1200; Middle English seknen, sicnen; cognate with Old Norse sjūkna. See sick ¹, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Some forms of blue-green algae produce toxins that can sicken humans or animals that consume them in drinking water.

From Popular-Science

Since the pandemic reached the United States last winter, first responders have been transporting people sickened with the coronavirus to the hospital, entering infected homes with only the protection of masks and their own immune system.

From Washington Post

In Marion County, Ohio, where an outbreak sickened more than 80 percent of inmates and 160 staff by the end of April, health officials traced around half of the county’s 112 cases outside of the prison back to it.

From Popular-Science

Barron praised his staff members, who have weathered unprecedented pressure and coronavirus outbreaks that have sickened at least 34 election employees.

From Washington Post

It hijacks your cells to do this—and that’s how it sickens you, by forcing your cells to make new viruses instead of what they should be doing.

From Nautilus

Or because the series of unfortunate events that we call old age tends to find and sicken the elderly?

From The Daily Beast

And, to do Robinson justice, this last thought made his heart sicken and his flesh creep more than all the rest.

From Project Gutenberg

His colour sicken'd more and more,He faded into age; And then his enemies beganTo show their deadly rage.

From Project Gutenberg

When love begins to sicken and decay / It useth an enforced ceremony.

From Project Gutenberg

Invader and victim lie in the same grave, burn in the same heap; they sicken while they work, and the pestilence spreads.

From Project Gutenberg

Hev ye ever tried ter raise a young hawk in a bird-cage, an' watched hit sicken an' die?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affect
• afflict
• disgust
• nauseate
• offend
• repel
• repulse