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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Julie Sharp, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Shingles, folliculitis, and COVID-19 also ailed her during this time.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 8 June 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
Warner said staff from MMCC will respond and bring ailing marine mammals from LA County beaches to its San Pedro facility.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Shingles, folliculitis, and COVID-19 also ailed her during this time.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
-
The full suite of vaccines against childhood diseases was almost complete by 1970.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The deadly plague is called Pierce’s disease.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
People can decide for themselves whether Wembanyama’s anthem conduct bothers them.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
But at the same time, the people that are bothering me are showing us love.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Now, leading medical organizations like the World Health Organization recognize obesity as a chronic medical condition that can drive numerous other health ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and potentially even cancer.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Before going down with the season-ending ailment, Thornton had unseated Chau Smith-Wade as the team’s starting nickel corner prior to the Week 11 win over Atlanta.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Verb
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This poor girl no longer has an identity beyond pleasing her male companion, who becomes both stifled by alarmed by this sudden, non-consensual change in personality.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The closures shrink the countywide advanced voting location network from 18 to 12 voting sites — alarming some Johnson County and city officials and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Eventually, the ways in which our body tried to cope — by sweating, for example - no longer suffice, which can result in illnesses like heat stroke, which typically starts when core temperature hits 104 F or more and can lead to death.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Taylor served only 16 months as President before dying of illness.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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For best results, apply with a damp beauty sponge using a stippling motion rather than sweeping strokes, which can disturb coverage and leave streaks.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
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Stray electric and magnetic fields that can slightly disturb electrons have far less influence on the nucleus.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, a ballot initiative won’t cure the ills that plague healthcare in the United States, said the Lown Institute’s Saini.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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Many Barcelona residents feel the Sagrada Familia's fame has driven some of overtourism's worst ills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Wednesday’s most concerning threat will roar to life in the afternoon, but some potent storms will bubble up in the morning too in parts of southern Minnesota and eastern Iowa.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Cabrera dismissed any idea that he was concerned the cramp could signal a far more serious issue.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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