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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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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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

The sandwich generation can tend to an aging or ailing parent without skipping work. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 June 2026 No major candidates were willing to risk their careers and challenge an ailing incumbent, who later had to drop out of the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail

Noun

In Orange County, its vector control district reported its first disease-carrying mosquitoes in Newport Beach on June 2.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The disease does not generally spread from person to person, but infections can occur if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters, cooling towers and other plumbing systems.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

The Red Sox are still waiting for full clarity on the lefties’ ailments, but for now the club has two holes to fill over the final week before the All-Star break.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
Vitello said the decision to pull Adames, who missed the last three games due to a back ailment, was precautionary.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Definition of ailment

Verb

Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 30 June 2026
That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.

— Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
Despite some athletes reporting illness afterward, no clear link to the water was confirmed, and the century-long psychological barrier to bathing in the Seine was finally broken.

— Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of illness

Verb

The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of disturb

Noun

Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
That’s actually the theme of an essay that Masha Gessen, who writes often about Russia and its many ills, has asked.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of ill

Verb

One of the most concerning things about the situation is that someone left such an explosive just lying around.

— Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Plummeting immigration is concerning, since our data suggests that immigration was the biggest contributor to Florida’s growth since 2023.

— Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of concern

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aiguilles

ail

ailed

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“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ail

noun

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