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
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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
-
An investigation revealed that the horse was suffering from multiple diseases and was a decade older than his driver had initially reported, according to the organization.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Those who have been vaccinated or previously had measles are likely protected against the disease.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Oh, and more often than not, nobody bothers to check whether the change intervention actually worked, or whether leaders improve their performance after all!—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
19 June 2026
Noun
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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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Hordes of soccer fans wearing Mexico and South Korea jerseys were walking down Olympic Boulevard energized but not alarmed in any way.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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That alarmed some lawmakers about the risk of assessments on the rest of the market.—
Gray Rohrer,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Symptoms include a rash, which can appear three to five days after onset of illness, cough, runny nose and red and watery eyes, as well as a fever that can be higher than 101 degrees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Peterson missed 11 games in 2026-27 because of illness or cramping and asked out of several other contests.—
Gary Bedore
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
19 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 20 Jun. 2026.
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