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
The majority of the aid still comes from the federal government through LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026 Several other law enforcment agencies provided aid to this response for hours after the shooting. — Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The waiver gives the studio permission to create a duplicate of an actor in costume, which aids in VFX work during postproduction. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Dozens of medical professionals have openly promoted access to retatrutide, and some sellers have been aided by an independent, blue-chip certification that gives them the appearance of legitimacy and the ability to advertise it on social media. — Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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
  • Javier Rezendez Rocha, who joined LADWP as an aide to electricians, was charged with 12 counts of felony vandalism in connection with the string of incidents that lasted from August 2025 to August 2026, according to a criminal complaint.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The president turned to his new aide, who identifies as a lawyer.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of aide
Noun
  • Creality's approach is rather different, swapping smaller nozzle assemblies instead of complete print heads, and potentially bringing the benefits of multi-nozzle printing to a more affordable machine.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Not surprisingly, the legislation does nothing to curb the growth of compensation and other benefits for college presidents, athletics directors, coaches and staff who continue to be in charge of the athletes under their control.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • And those striving for zest under these circumstances may benefit from assistance from a mental health professional like a psychologist, a physical health provider like a physician, or a personal trainer or fitness instructor.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The government plans to support participating companies through loan guarantees and assistance with administrative requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistance
Verb
  • His appeal is meant to be broad, with proposals to cap credit card rates, cut middle-class taxes, lower prices and assist people with their first down payment on a home.
    — Sam Sifton, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Department of Water and Power assisted in the investigation, McDonnell said, as one of its employees was a suspect and was subsequently arrested.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Willow, a one-time teen star now employed as a casting assistant, carries most of the strain.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Pore’s top assistant, Rafael Martinez, delivers the scouting report on their next opponent — in this instance, the University of Tulsa, with a match set for Wednesday night.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • There are advantages to having a merged Paramount+/HBO Max streaming group, Kogel says.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • My breadth of experience from my upbringing to fighting for Arkansans from all walks of life, gives me an advantage in understanding that life story every person brings into my court.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • What readers are saying The conversation explores the personal journey of the author in managing OCD, with many participants expressing admiration for the author's self-awareness and bravery in seeking help.
    — Eva Jaber, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The Rainbow Warriors reached Arizona State's 21 on their next drive — with the help of ASU's three 15-yard penalties — but turned the ball over on downs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Founding and patenting gabardine Thomas Burberry, a cloth merchant’s apprentice, established his own shop in 1856 in Basingstoke, England, then a rural town located southwest of London.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.
    — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aid

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