1
as in aide
a person who helps a more skilled person
Jack is his mother's preferred aid in the kitchen, as his sister Janice is clumsy when it comes to chopping and peeling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in benefit
a thing that helps
a dictionary is a handy aid for working crossword puzzles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping
the clerk asked if she needed any aid carrying out her purchases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to assist
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
sought to aid her in her search for a dachshund puppy by looking online
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of aid
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 31 May 2026
The aid groups have already seen the need steadily rise over the last year, and the Hunger Coalition estimates that a quarter of San Diego County residents could go hungry without help.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 May 2026
Villagers rush in to aid the man as the buffalo takes off in a different direction.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aid
Noun
Over 40 people have died in a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where government and international aid organizations are struggling to cope with the spread of the disease.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 31 May 2026
The aid groups have already seen the need steadily rise over the last year, and the Hunger Coalition estimates that a quarter of San Diego County residents could go hungry without help.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
Verb
Founded in 1993, the organization aids children living in war zones, with a recent emphasis on those in Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon and Sudan.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 May 2026
Villagers rush in to aid the man as the buffalo takes off in a different direction.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for aid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aid
Noun
-
One of his former top aides, Gabriel Sterling, lost the Republican primary for secretary of state, and Raffensperger fell short of a runoff for the GOP nomination in his campaign for governor.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
26 May 2026
-
Biden and his aides pushed back aggressively against doubts raised about his fitness for office.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
However, elsewhere, such as in Villagarzon, indigenous leaders challenge its benefit to them.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
As research highlighted the benefits of bee pollination for certain crops in the early 1900s, many beekeepers began switching gears from a sole focus on honey production to providing pollination services to provide extra income.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The Orange County Workforce and Economic Development Board encouraged small business owners impacted by the incident to submit an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan worksheet to determine eligibility for potential assistance programs.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
-
Many skilled trade schools recognize that service members are well-suited for careers in the trades and actively work to support their transition by offering enrollment assistance and educational funding.—
Rose Van Alstine,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The team leapt to a 2-0 lead early in the first half thanks to the majesty and refreshing return-to-form of Christian Pulisic, who assisted on the first goal and finished off the second.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
-
Guests are able to customize and personalize their experiences with the dedicated butler team available to assist around the clock.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Chandler is a nursing assistant.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
Glasner’s two main assistant coaches, Michael Angerschmid and Ronald Brunmayr, had long since been responsible for set pieces but, earlier this year, that responsibility was shifted to Paddy McCarthy with greater success, resulting in the Irishman taking up the duties full time.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The Monarchs banged out 10 hits, stole three bases and took advantage of nine walks, six errors, four hit batters and three wild pitches.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
Coffey added eight rebounds and continues to further take advantage of the opportunity she has been given with her hometown team.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Da Frisella is a godsend for children, for help-yourself please-all bowls of pasta and plenty of coloring activities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Its trio, a lonely fox-deer, an axolotl apprentice healer and a red panda Viking, travel through a darkening natural world as the series folds identity, belonging and environmental crisis.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
His successor proved to be a worthy apprentice in a series shaped by constantly clashing adjustments and counters.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aid. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
