sickening

American  

[sik-uh-ning] / ˈsɪk ə nɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing or capable of causing sickness, especially nausea, disgust, or loathing.

   sickening arrogance.

   Synonyms:

   loathsome, disgusting, nauseating

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sickening British  

/ ˈsɪkənɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing sickness or revulsion

2. informal extremely annoying

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Other Word Forms

• sickeningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of sickening

First recorded in 1715–25; sicken + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Alfie's prediction: It's quite sickening for Spurs fans that we poached Thomas Frank from Brentford last summer and they have gone on to have their best-ever season.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Leaders from across the political spectrum have since called for an immediate investigation, calling the allegations "harrowing" and "sickening".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the statement said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting," they said.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

As if in slow motion, the camera sailed through the air and hit the black asphalt with a sickening crunch.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Related Words

• nasty
• putrid