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
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Recent Examples of ailments
Matterhorn Fit treats ailments that affect the neck, back and pelvis, which include sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, thoracic pain, cervical pain, sports hernia recovery and cervicogenic headache.
—
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The growing exodus reflects the challenges Bass faces while trying to help some of the city’s neediest residents, many of whom struggle with mental health conditions, substance use issues or major physical ailments.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In one case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
There, an old Tibetan man (Tsewang Migyur Khangsar) requests a Tibetan doctor to tend to his ever more troubling ailments.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
So much so that Avalanche coach Jared Bednar can’t wait to one day sit down with Burns and discuss all the ailments that may have kept many a player sidelined for days, weeks and maybe even months.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Medicine Humans have long sought to find cures for the ailments and injuries that befall them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
An exact cause of death was not given, but North had battled a variety of ailments and injuries in recent years.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
These bacteria are known to cause a host of ailments, including listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, miscarriage, brucellosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, reactive arthritis and death.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The growing exodus reflects the challenges Bass faces while trying to help some of the city’s neediest residents, many of whom struggle with mental health conditions, substance use issues or major physical ailments.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In one case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
There, an old Tibetan man (Tsewang Migyur Khangsar) requests a Tibetan doctor to tend to his ever more troubling ailments.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
So much so that Avalanche coach Jared Bednar can’t wait to one day sit down with Burns and discuss all the ailments that may have kept many a player sidelined for days, weeks and maybe even months.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Medicine Humans have long sought to find cures for the ailments and injuries that befall them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
An exact cause of death was not given, but North had battled a variety of ailments and injuries in recent years.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026
These bacteria are known to cause a host of ailments, including listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, miscarriage, brucellosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, reactive arthritis and death.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailments
Noun
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The pair is part of a community of caregivers and their clients in Atlanta who experience the arts together as a way to manage the stress and impact of cognitive diseases.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Hair loss can be caused by genetics, hormones, age, or underlying medical conditions (like some autoimmune diseases).—
Nicole Hernandez,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Over half of the illnesses are in children under 5 years old.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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Essayli said the individuals are accused of running fraudulent hospice care facilities that billed Medicare by using people without terminal illnesses as beneficiaries.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In his songs, the Virginia rapper renders societal ills in high definition.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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The first New Mexico trial on the ills and dangers of social media platforms began in February after a nearly three-year probe by the state.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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In some places, fish catches declined precipitously in medium depths, which Joye attributes to nutritionally barren conditions.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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In a previous interview, Nichols said the union’s concerns center on pay, workload and job conditions for school administrators, including long hours and limited autonomy.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Others welcome the review, pointing to adverse reactions that have been reported among babies who got the shots, including fevers, seizures and even some deaths.—
March 25,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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Following the diagnosis, Urso, 40, began treatment that has included extended hospital stays, fevers and rigorous chemotherapy sessions.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailments. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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