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
Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
An uneasy calm Iran has returned to an uneasy calm after harsh repression of protests over Iran’s ailing economy.
—Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 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
But most of her clients are ordinary people with ailing heirloom hearths.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
An uneasy calm Iran has returned to an uneasy calm after harsh repression of protests over Iran’s ailing economy.
—Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
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In those participants, the disease was not associated with any changes in brain size or evidence of damage.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Horton took the time to promote a charity seeking to raise funds for the organization Pancreatic Cancer UK, while also sharing a sweet tribute to the late Harry Potter star, who died from the disease in 2016 at age 69.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
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Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Galen concocted medicines that seem strange to modern ears, such as treating ailments like inflammation with feces sprinkled with thyme to mask the odor.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
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Spillane also left Sunday’s game with his ankle ailment.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The affected regions in southern Africa are no strangers to heavy downpours and flooding, but scientists were alarmed by the magnitude of the recent events.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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While this alarmed some users, this type of intrusive data harvesting is common on social media apps.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pets could be impacted Additionally, products contaminated with filth, rodent excreta, and rodent urine may cause illness in the animals that consume the food or humans that are in contact with the products.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kim Wood, the NFL's first full-time strength and conditioning coach, died Tuesday after battling a brief illness.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Taking place during the Christmas season, the film centers on a group of sorority sisters who are tormented by persistent, disturbing phone calls.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Kids comb case files, contact local authorities, and even interview a victim, all of which expose each young detective to disturbing images, ideas, and theories.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Winning tends to cure a lot of ills, and the Hornets hit the road this week with two recent home victories to their credit.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Well, within the past year, professionals who have sought to advance their careers through ongoing training and development are turning to a non-technical AI skill, one that fundamentally shapes the future of work even outside of IT, as far as AI is concerned.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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