terminal illness

Sometimes life-lim·it·ing ill·ness

[tur-muh-nl il-nis]

noun

1. a disease or condition that cannot be cured and will almost certainly lead to death.

Word History and Origins

Origin of terminal illness¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

In her essay, Schlossberg acknowledged that her terminal illness adds to a string of tragedies that has befallen the famous political family.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Malatesta’s Instagram says it’s “a page dedicated solely to the Westminster Mall’s battle with terminal illness,” referencing the mall’s long, rocky fall from its prime.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As I’ve reported in the past, the targets of these sorts of promotions are consumers who are either looking for alternative treatments for persistent conditions or are dealing with chronic, incurable or terminal illness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Montana’s expanded “Right to Try” law in 2023 allowed any patient to access an experimental treatment, not just those with a terminal illness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But now he's curating a uniquely personal playlist - the songs of his own life to carry him through terminal illness.

Read more on BBC