ail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ailnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ail

2 of 2

verb

ˈāl How to pronounce ail (audio)
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
Palmieri thinks the new series could be the tonic for what’s ailing political journalism. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 America at 250 seems stuck in a miasma of rival populisms that offer irreconcilable visions for curing what ails our country. — Will Marshall, Washington Post, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
  1. disease
  2. bother
  3. ailment
  4. alarm
  5. illness
  6. disturb
  7. ill
  8. concern
Noun
  • DeepMind’s AlphaFold, for example, has used to AI to make available new structures for more than 200 million proteins, opening new pathways for research into disease and medicine.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The lab got its start with studies of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the 1900s, when ranchers and cattle were dying from the then-unknown disease.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • My summer dresses will sadly be retired in the coming weeks, but a denim midi skirt is the ideal swap on days when I can’t be bothered to wear jeans.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While acknowledging a desire for the honor, Overeem states he's not overly bothered, having faced similar situations throughout his long career.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • The right-hander has been dealing with the ailment for more than a month.
    — Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • But a lingering issue with his left knee is the most serious ailment on his docket.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of ailment
Verb
  • Japan is alarmed by the growing presence and frequency of Chinese warships in the Pacific Ocean.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Among those alarmed by the state’s mounting repression are civil-society figures who have staunchly opposed the war with America and Israel.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of alarm
Noun
  • Kyle Schwarber went 1 for 2 with two walks after missing three games with an illness.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • There may also be benefits related to skin care, respiratory illness, sleep deprivation and even dementia.
    — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of illness
Verb
  • Out of competition The world of elite sports is taken to disturbing new heights full of brutality and painful ambition in the new film from Nikias Chryssos (The Bunker, Rave On, A Pure Place).
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • When walking down the charming Main Street, you won't be disturbed by honking or traffic since the island has banned cars since 1898.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Noun
  • Blaming billionaire wealth-hoarding for America’s ills would poll very well among the nation’s anthropology departments.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
  • Last month, Kwon’s team, in collaboration with Seongju Kim at Hanbat National University, in Daejeon, South Korea, presented its solution to HBM’s future ills.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026
Definition of ill
Verb
  • According to the complaint, Grigsby attempted to tell Martinez that concerns about a defense attorney’s performance should be directed to supervisors rather than discussed in open court.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • These remarks come after HeatWorld reported that the sisters have been concerned about their safety, with tensions rising after Eugenie was recently heckled by a man making comments about her father in March.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 July 2026
Definition of concern

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Cite this Entry

“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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