ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
Synonyms of ailment
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment

Synonyms of ailment

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Examples of ailment in a Sentence

She suffered from a chronic back ailment. The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the third time in a year, his young career has been temporarily derailed by an injury — this time, a thumb ailment that will sideline him into August. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 The respiratory ailment's name comes from an outbreak that hit attendees of an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976. — ABC News, 11 July 2026 Lyonne was arrested for a DUI in 2001; in 2005, she was admitted to the intensive-care unit of a New York hospital for a variety of ailments. — Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026 His biceps ailment, however, quickly resolved with a day off. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailment

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailment was in 1606

Rhymes for ailment

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Browse Nearby Words

aillt
ailment
Ailsa Craig
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Cite this Entry

“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

More from Merriam-Webster on ailment

Nglish: Translation of ailment for Spanish Speakers

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