as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
half of the staff is out sick with the usual wintertime ails
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bother
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
parents who were at a loss to explain what was ailing their normally vivacious daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ail
Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024
In the age of generative AI, the theft of huge troves of medical information might be even more dangerous, as our health records wind up in data sets that enable off-the-books innovation in exploiting our ails.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2024
Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Although Hill later attributed his end-of-season outburst to frustration due to a fractured wrist that ailed him all season and the Dolphins’ lack of a playoff berth, his actions likely hurt many of his teammates.
—Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ail
Noun
What’s more, the age-old phrase the team’s fans have used to describe Detroit’s recent ails – ‘SOL’ or same old Lions – seems to have been banished for now.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024
In the age of generative AI, the theft of huge troves of medical information might be even more dangerous, as our health records wind up in data sets that enable off-the-books innovation in exploiting our ails.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2024
Verb
There was a new granddaughter to meet and an ailing and aging father to tend to.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Although Hill later attributed his end-of-season outburst to frustration due to a fractured wrist that ailed him all season and the Dolphins’ lack of a playoff berth, his actions likely hurt many of his teammates.
—Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
-
The smallest, what are called ultrafine particles, even slip through the alveolar capillary barrier itself, crossing into the bloodstream, and from there travel throughout the body, including to the heart, the brain, and the kidneys to initiate even more destruction and disease (see below).—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
But the shot has been a life-saving public health intervention against the disease, which can lead to severe health problems, including liver cancer and failure, and death.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This takes two seconds, and she doesn’t get bothered at all.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Urban streams, even once restored, suffer a number of ailments intrinsic to their circumstances and surroundings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said on Friday that Celebrini will be re-evaluated on Saturday, and didn’t sound concerned that the ailment would keep his top line center out for long.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Alyssa’s trip didn’t alarm her mother.—
Sarah Dahlberg,
NBC news,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue was alarmed by the Chiefs’ pass rush.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Defensive end Keion White is out with an illness, leading to more playing time for veteran Anfernee Jennings and rookie Elijah Ponder.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
State health officials will add flu data to its respiratory virus dashboard during the fall flu season, and in the mean time the agency recommends everyone over 6 months of age should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against severe illness and current variants.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Speaking ill of Mike Trout’s flawless game was impossible.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It is concerned solely with the here-and-now, preserving the peace for just one more day, and waiting for the CCP to collapse like the imperial dynasties that ruled China before.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The final campaign finance report for the 2024 general election and the annual report concerning remaining campaign funds were filed on April 30 of this year, according to records in the Saline County clerk's office.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share