# sickened

/ˈsɪkənd/ (US) · /sˈɪkənd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sickened
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

feeling very shocked and disgusted by something bad or cruel. You use this when something makes you feel physically or emotionally sick.

For teachers: feeling intense disgust, shock, or moral outrage. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'become'.

## Examples

- She felt sickened by the news of the accident.
- The public was sickened by the video of the animal abuse, leading to a massive petition for the law to change.
- The journalist was sickened by the corruption he uncovered, yet he felt a professional duty to publish the story despite the personal risks involved.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.