1
as in fragile
chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health
when his ailing wife had to go to a nursing home, he visited her every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
he was ailing from some sort of infection in his eye that made it look all red and puffy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bothering
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
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Recent Examples of ailing
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Streeting’s Cabinet position became a personal mission to fix an ailing National Health Service because of his own battle with kidney cancer.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
ABC News, 9 June 2026
Sneed dealt with an ailing knee late in his Chiefs tenure.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Adjective
Alcaraz never made it to the start, as he is sidelined with an ailing wrist, while Sinner lost in the second round and Djokovic lost a day later in the third round.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Streeting’s Cabinet position became a personal mission to fix an ailing National Health Service because of his own battle with kidney cancer.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Verb
The restaurant industry has been ailing.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Sneed dealt with an ailing knee late in his Chiefs tenure.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing
Adjective
-
When students learn new information, the memory is fragile and the brain needs a pause from additional cognitive demands, according to the pediatric association.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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The fierce woman who always wore black, who could light up a room with her sly jokes and smoky laughter, grew quieter and more fragile after losing her lover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
If healthier people drop out of the risk pool, fewer people subsidize the people who get sick, Gidwani said.—
Andrew Jones,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Nara Organics issued the recall of all lots of Nara Organics Whole Milk Infant Formula after, according to the company recall notice, the FDA and CDC told the company about babies sick with infant botulism in California, Pennsylvania and Washington.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
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That appears to be bothering people, as the broadcast noted some pointed conversations among the Spanish team during the hydration break.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
This fragmented model creates friction and quietly drains profitability through unbilled hours, margin erosion from poorly staffed projects and elevated turnover when top talent hits operational roadblocks.—
DJ Paoni,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And some of the capabilities that these models have to access systems, not only federal government systems, but financial systems, is very concerning to us.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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With remote attacks, employees receive emails concerning invoices or data migrations.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The frail, gray humanoid figure greets Daniel and Margaret like old friends as they, and the world, stand in awe.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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The law had said medically frail people include those who have substance use disorders, disabilities or serious medical conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Brunson is at his best when everything is at its worst, blessed with belief that seems at times desperate and determination that can feel almost manic.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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All of the club’s worst seasons prior to 1965 took place from 1932 and before.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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