as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
a doctor known for successfully treating patients with chronic back ailments
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of ailments
In recent weeks, Doncic has grappled with ankle and groin ailments as well; the wear-and-tear of the season emerging just before the All-Star break.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
The sport does not prohibit hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that can be used to treat ailments such as osteoarthritis and dry eye, or as a cosmetic filler.
—Peter Sblendorio, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
His ailments included a core muscle issue and a calf strain before Davis injured his hand while defending a driving Lauri Markkanen of Utah last month.
—Schuyler Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
Nancy Guthrie is described as having some physical ailments and limited mobility, but does not have cognitive issues, her family said, according to the sheriff.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Then came the physical ailments.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Galen concocted medicines that seem strange to modern ears, such as treating ailments like inflammation with feces sprinkled with thyme to mask the odor.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
In recent years Foege battled multiple health ailments, including cancer, congestive heart failure, gout, and a terrible case of shingles.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 25 Jan. 2026
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
The sport does not prohibit hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that can be used to treat ailments such as osteoarthritis and dry eye, or as a cosmetic filler.
—Peter Sblendorio, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
His ailments included a core muscle issue and a calf strain before Davis injured his hand while defending a driving Lauri Markkanen of Utah last month.
—Schuyler Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026
Nancy Guthrie is described as having some physical ailments and limited mobility, but does not have cognitive issues, her family said, according to the sheriff.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Then came the physical ailments.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Galen concocted medicines that seem strange to modern ears, such as treating ailments like inflammation with feces sprinkled with thyme to mask the odor.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
In recent years Foege battled multiple health ailments, including cancer, congestive heart failure, gout, and a terrible case of shingles.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailments
Noun
-
Cassidy, a physician specializing in liver diseases and a vocal supporter of vaccination, had questioned Kennedy sharply in a hearing about his views on shots.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the launch of a mass drug administration program has allowed the country to treat around 100 million people for NTDs annually since 2019, The END Fund found, with the disease burden for some illnesses reducing by as much as 72%.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
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And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Under normal conditions, these signals go straight to the robot’s central processing unit.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
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No matter the conditions, our officers are always ready to answer the call.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On the other hand, fevers, arm soreness, and other side effects of routine vaccination are quite visible to individual clinicians.—
Robert M. Califf,
STAT,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Born healthy, Shiloh thrived through infancy until, around 18 months, unexplained fevers began to appear.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailments. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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