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
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
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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Aurangzeb imprisoned his ailing father in 1658 and defeated his brother the year after, before forcibly parading him in chains on a filthy elephant on the streets of Delhi.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
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
If found guilty again, the ailing 72-year-old Weinstein, who saw his previous conviction tossed out in April 2024 over controversial prior bad acts testimony, will likely spend the rest of his life in a state prison.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Aurangzeb imprisoned his ailing father in 1658 and defeated his brother the year after, before forcibly parading him in chains on a filthy elephant on the streets of Delhi.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
-
Pakistan is writing a new story of hope in which every child can survive and thrive and communities are protected from this preventable disease.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
While much research is still needed into the disease’s progression, Edgerly said people can take steps to potentially reduce their risk.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Summary Celery has been used throughout history as a folk medicine to relieve many ailments.—
Hannah Coakley, MSPH, RDN,
Verywell Health,
21 Apr. 2025
-
That October, Néstor died of a heart ailment, and the next month Bergoglio was called to testify in front of a panel of judges about the abduction, more than thirty years earlier, of the Jesuit priests.—
Graciela Mochkofsky,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Still, researchers are clear to reassure people there is no need to be alarmed about the continent hollowing out or there being any sudden landscape changes anytime soon.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2025
-
While bombarded by public service announcements encouraging me to save the whales, feed starving African children, and conserve freshwater, none alarmed me quite as much as those that advertised the hole in the ozone layer.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The couple uses and advocates for in vitro fertilization and claims the embryos of their four children were screened for illnesses, mental health issues and potential intelligence.—
Lisa Hagen,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This tactic—arresting judges for their courtroom decisions—has disturbing echoes in other countries where judicial independence has been undermined: in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and in other places where democracy has given way to executive supremacy.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
No doubt, climate change threatens to muck it all up, disturbing patterns that have existed for centuries.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
From worrying about how much TV little kids can watch to what social media is doing to the mental health of teens, parenting has turned into a constant battle against the ills of the screen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Every possible ill, every source of embarrassment to their bourgeois sensibilities, was blamed on the plant.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The incident report was issued Monday at 3:57 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:01 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The April 7 issue of Chemical and Engineering News has a major story that should concern us all.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share