as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
half of the staff is out sick with the usual wintertime ails
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bother
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
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Recent Examples of ail
Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024
In the age of generative AI, the theft of huge troves of medical information might be even more dangerous, as our health records wind up in data sets that enable off-the-books innovation in exploiting our ails.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2024
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Khamenei, an ailing octogenarian, frequently spoke of his willingness to be martyred, and regime officials have claimed that Israel already tried to target them last summer, when Israel and Iran traded strikes in what would become known as the Twelve-Day War.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ail
Noun
What’s more, the age-old phrase the team’s fans have used to describe Detroit’s recent ails – ‘SOL’ or same old Lions – seems to have been banished for now.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024
In the age of generative AI, the theft of huge troves of medical information might be even more dangerous, as our health records wind up in data sets that enable off-the-books innovation in exploiting our ails.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2024
Verb
There are tactical and personnel issues at play, with the greatest concern being how to remedy an ailing attack.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Khamenei, an ailing octogenarian, frequently spoke of his willingness to be martyred, and regime officials have claimed that Israel already tried to target them last summer, when Israel and Iran traded strikes in what would become known as the Twelve-Day War.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
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The finding has the potential to provide a longer runway to make the lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk, and could be used to better identify subjects who could benefit from participating in clinical trials seeking to prevent or treat neurodegenerative disease.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Hall of Fame high school football coach Bob Johnson, who built powerhouse programs at El Toro and Mission Viejo and became known for mentoring for his sons and other top quarterbacks, died Wednesday after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease, his son Bret confirmed.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That didn’t bother the three roaches crawling on the floor by a carbon dioxide tank inside the storage room behind the office.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other clips don’t even bother rendering a proper baby.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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The complaint states Geter Pinder suffers from severe emotional distress, anxiety, paranoia about her safety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.—
Abby Dodge,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
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Yet the price of gas seems likely to keep rising, which alarms Republicans.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The elevated levels could increase the risk of illness.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
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DeRozan returns to lineup DeRozan returned to the lineup 24 hours after an illness forced him to miss his first game of the season in Tuesday’s win over the Bulls, ending his streak of 126 consecutive games.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, changing your eating patterns can disturb it and affect blood sugar control.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 Mar. 2026
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Shuttle buses often pause to allow passengers to observe animals without disturbing them.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Faced with high rates of suicide and other ills such as addiction, corrections officers have long been concerned about the stress and violence of their jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Reform’s pitch to voters is that, for many of these ills, mass immigration is to blame.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Legislators in 16 states have introduced bills this year that would limit education technology, or ed tech, in public schools, spurred by a growing grassroots movement of parents concerned about the amount of time their children are spending on screens.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
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Storm chances will gradually decrease after midnight; the most concerning window for severe storms and tornadoes is Tuesday evening.—
Albert Ramon,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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