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

Verb

The tequila shrimp empanadas disappear quickly, while the huitlacoche quesadilla folds Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, roasted corn, and salsa macha crema into something deeper and earthier than most Midtown menus bother attempting.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Maybe altering the letters bothered her most because publication inevitably makes the integrity of a letter—the message from writer to recipient—secondary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of bother

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

Noun

Meanwhile, investigations into similar illnesses have been going on in 28 other states, including in Ohio, where people just across the Michigan border are also becoming sick.

— Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
But then again, Rice is said to be suffering from illness, too.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 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

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
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

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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“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ail

noun

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