as in ailments
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
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as in bothers
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
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Recent Examples of ails
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Karl Vick, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
At their best, these shows are a mirror for what ails society, typically delivered with a heaping side of melodrama and romance.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
His presence or absence from the scene will not change the fundamentals of what ails Iran.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The long era of sitting quietly while the doctor pronounces what ails us and what to do about it is ending.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
The idea of being wrapped in a little wood house feels like the cure for whatever ails you.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
There simply doesn't seem to be a quick fix available for what ails the Texans offense.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Tatis is expected to stay home at least another day, as the Padres await results of tests to see what ails him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Naming what ails you is not the same as overcoming it.
—Hena Bryan, Refinery29, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
City may well have believed that a summer break would cure their ails and time would simply consign last season’s mid-season collapse to room 101, but the rest of the league does not forget.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the story of how the United States of America came together for the first time, On This Day…1776 has the cure for what ails us.
—Karl Vick, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
At their best, these shows are a mirror for what ails society, typically delivered with a heaping side of melodrama and romance.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
His presence or absence from the scene will not change the fundamentals of what ails Iran.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The long era of sitting quietly while the doctor pronounces what ails us and what to do about it is ending.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
The idea of being wrapped in a little wood house feels like the cure for whatever ails you.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
There simply doesn't seem to be a quick fix available for what ails the Texans offense.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Tatis is expected to stay home at least another day, as the Padres await results of tests to see what ails him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Naming what ails you is not the same as overcoming it.
—Hena Bryan, Refinery29, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ails
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That inward struggle made it to the surface because Glenn no longer bothers with charades.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
-
Software stocks have sold off in recent weeks on rising AI disruption fears and worries that new agentic tools can replace them.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But what worries me is a judge should not hold up everything.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 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
Verb
-
That sort of utilization of AI is what concerns Michael Tesler, an expert on campaigns and elections who teaches political science at UC Irvine.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Larry Curl, vice president of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association, said Senate Bill 270 addresses concerns the organization has with township governments.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
By cross-pollinating different groups of thinkers, Seth disturbs the pattern-completion machinery of each mind, clearing the ground for alternative insights to land.—
Rachel Barr,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Though the time change allows for more daylight in the spring and summer evenings, many have argued the change disturbs the body's circadian rhythms and has significant health drawbacks.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ails. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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