ailing

adjective

ail·​ing ˈā-liŋ How to pronounce ailing (audio)
Synonyms of ailingnext
: having or suffering from an illness or injury
providing care for his ailing mother
trying to rest her ailing knee/back
a person in ailing health
often used figuratively
an ailing company
an ailing economy

Examples of ailing in a Sentence

when his ailing wife had to go to a nursing home, he visited her every day he was ailing from some sort of infection in his eye that made it look all red and puffy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The attention attracts con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo and appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her ailing son. William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026 Blacklock had thought about enrolling at Michigan State or UCLA, but Texas afforded him a chance to be near his ailing mother. Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026 Last year, another change in Fed thinking nudged rates lower as concerns swirled about an ailing job market. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026 Now that the four astronauts are back on solid ground, medical professionals can better evaluate the condition of the ailing astronaut, NASA officials said. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailing

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of ail entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailing was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailing. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.

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