AIL Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

ail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ail

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ail

2 of 2

verb

ˈāl

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

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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 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

Her sister Judith can grow huge pumpkins, her twin brother Sammy can heal ailing plants, and her Auntie Dee makes pickles that can predict the future. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 For some reason that has zero bearing on the plot, Digger loves his mangy cat and is determined to keep the ailing creature, half-blind and incontinent, alive at any cost. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail

Noun

Depending on the species, that could mean breeding animals in captivity and releasing them, restoring habitat, managing disease, or controlling invasive species.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Beeswax, honey, and pollen each possess their own particular antimicrobial and chemical properties that, taken together, repel disease and encourage helpful fungi.

— Amanda Erickson, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of disease

Verb

Gee, who used to pop into fraternity parties unannounced to keep tabs on them, said he is not bothered by the reintegration of the three formerly rogue organizations.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
This is a dense picture—there’s almost too much to unpack, if you can be bothered to care about any of it.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Noun

Now, with Garrett still dealing with a knee ailment in his own right, the Rams have been banged up with key players not just being down for a week or two, but prolonged recoveries.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The lack of clarity on the root of his ailments complicated the balancing act on both sides.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ailment

Verb

Abiy’s persistent calls for sovereign access to Eritrea’s Red Sea port of Assab have alarmed Eritrea and deepened the rift.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
But the idea that fine adaptations of great books need to be stopping points, rather than springboards, is alarming by itself.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

To be sure, practicing a zest for life can be harder for those who have physical illness and pain and those who engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
The Heat also didn’t have Pelle Larsson (illness) and Dru Smith (right calf strain) on Friday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of illness

Verb

An officer responded to PSA, and police said about two pallets of cards were stolen from the truck and a third was disturbed.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
On vehicles with a dedicated secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse, view lyrics, and watch video content without disturbing the driver.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Noun

Hilton has blasted Becerra as taking the state’s voters for granted, failing to hold public campaign events to explain his detailed plans to address California’s many ills.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Now, in The Social Reckoning, Sorkin focuses on the ills of the company Facebook eventually became.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ill

Verb

As for Adebayo, the Heat doesn’t seem to concerned about his groin issue.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Unions are concerned the bots — which Simbe claims can save employees up to 50 hours of work per week — could put human employees out of work.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

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“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ail

noun

verb

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