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sickener

American  
[sik-uh-ner] / ˈsɪk ə nər /

noun

  1. something that sickens or disgusts.


sickener British  
/ ˈsɪkənə /

noun

  1. something that induces sickness or nausea

  2. a bright red basidiomycetous fungus of either of two species of Russula, notably the poisonous R. emetica

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sickener

First recorded in 1800–10; sicken + -er 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Northern Ireland supporters, meanwhile, had been offered refunds by their association, who sensed the lack of appetite, even if their defeat in Italy had been less of a sickener.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

It is a real sickener for Emery, though.

From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2024

The winner was completely deserved but it was a sickener for Rangers.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2022

Burnley are also coming off the back of a loss to Tottenham Hotspur, theirs a last-minute sickener in the Premier League last weekend.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 22, 2018

It's a fair sickener to think of all the diseases there are—measles and softenin' of the brain, and 'eaving stummicks and what not.

From The Blue Germ by Maurice Nicoll

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