sicken
verb/ˈsɪkən/
Etymology From Middle English sekenen, equivalent to sick + -en. Cognate with Danish sygne (“to pine”), Swedish sjukna (“to fall ill; become sick”), Norwegian sykne, Icelandic sjúkna (“to sicken; become sick”).
7 senses
1
To make ill.
- The infection will sicken him until amputation is needed.
2
To become ill.
- I will sicken if I don’t get some more exercise.
- The judges that sat upon the jail, and numbers of those that attended,[…] sickened upon it and died.1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
3
To fill with disgust or abhorrence.
- His arrogant behaviour sickens me.
- In announcing the review, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new health secretary, said in a statement that “antisemitism — like racism — is a spiritual and moral malady that sickens societies and kills people with lethalities comparable to history’s most deadly plagues.”2025 March 4, Sharon Otterman, “Trump Threatens Columbia With Millions in Cuts Over Antisemitism Claims”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 12 Mar 2025:
4
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To lower the standing of.
- Whenever I get booed by opposition fans it only makes me more determined to sicken them.2007, Euan Reedie, Alan Shearer: Portrait Of A Legend - Captain Fantastic, →ISBN:
- But instead of giving up, the Rangers team managed to grab a dramatic later winner from Kenny Miller to sicken St Mirren and lift the cup2011, Scott Burns, Walter Smith the Ibrox Gaffer: A Tribute to a Rangers Legend, →ISBN:
1 more example
- City took control, pinning a tiring Celtic back and threatening to sicken them with a winner.2016 September 28, Tom English, “Celtic 3–3 Manchester City”, in BBC Sport:
5
To be filled with disgust or abhorrence.
- Mine eyes did sicken at the sight.1607, William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra:
6
To become disgusting or tedious.
- The toiling pleasure sickens into pain.1770, Oliver Goldsmith, The Deserted Village:
7
To become weak; to decay; to languish.
- All pleasures sicken, and all glories sink.1734, Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man: