aid 1 of 2

noun

Definition of aidnext
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

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2
as in benefit
a thing that helps a dictionary is a handy aid for working crossword puzzles

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3
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping the clerk asked if she needed any aid carrying out her purchases

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aid

2 of 2

verb

ˈād How to pronounce aid (audio)
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

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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
Noun
On de la Espriella’s inauguration day, Washington pledged a $1 billion aid package to support security and counter-narcotics operations. — Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026 Officers rendered aid and requested an emergency medical crew. — Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
As its name suggests, the MTN — previously known as the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter — will primarily serve to aid NASA science missions rather than gather data of its own. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Howard and his Glaser Weil team aided the Village Directors Circle in their quest to bring the shuttered and beloved UCLA-adjacent movie palace back to life in collaboration with American Cinematheque. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aid
  1. aide
  2. benefit
  3. assistance
  4. assist
  5. assistant
  6. advantage
  7. help
  8. apprentice
Noun
  • Britain’s populist Reform UK said two senior aides to leader Nigel Farage stepped down on Friday after an undercover investigation alleged the party had broken electoral law by arranging for a foreign donor to pay for political polling.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In interviews, his aides are quick to defend the virtue in his obsession.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Through 2070, South Florida could see $2 of benefits for every $1 invested in community adaptations, like seawall construction and beach nourishment.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • Industries such as healthcare and social assistance (+28,400) continued to add jobs while local government education (+41,900 jobs) reversed a large loss from July (-57,500).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In mid-2025, for example, Congress clawed back nearly $8 billion in foreign assistance funds.
    — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of assistance
Verb
  • The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas.
    — River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • By assisting Japan in stabilizing its currency, the White House was effectively guarding against a potentially large sale of T-bills.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Nana Menya Ayensu is an energy strategy and infrastructure technology investment executive and a former White House special assistant to the President on Climate Policy, Finance, and Innovation.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Idzik was in his first year as a low-level offensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks, whose staff was selected to coach the NFC team after an early exit from the 2019 playoffs.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • Galatasaray squandered a 5-2 first-leg lead against Juventus in last season’s knockout play-off round, despite having a man advantage for most of the game.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Podded propulsion offers particular advantages in this environment.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who has been the play caller for some historically bad offenses, is a concern, but the help Smith will get from his teammates will be night-and-day better than last season.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The family has several immediate needs, including clothing, food, personal items and help with temporary living expenses, Sharp said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Approaching retirement, Patrick searches with exacting standards for someone to fill his shoes, investing time in mentoring young apprentice Matteo.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • CEOs would be wise to reinvest some of the profit AI creates into apprentice-style roles that grow entry-level people fast.
    — Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprentice

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ahead of
aid
aide
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Cite this Entry

“Aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aid. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aid

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