as in bothered
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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Recent Examples of ailed
Shingles, folliculitis, and COVID-19 also ailed her during this time.
—
David Oliver, USA Today, 8 June 2026
The tweaks should fix much of what has long ailed it.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Martin did not specify what ailed her, but since comments were left on, other people spoke on her behalf.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
With none of the colonialist baggage associated with the two European superpowers, America was turned to, almost as a last resort, to fix what ailed Iran.
—Daniel Thomas Potts, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
The same problems that have ailed the team all year persisted.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
That struggling Cincinnati defense has been the cure-all for anything that has ailed the Steelers’ offense in recent years.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Most important, he’s been mentioned by Timberwolves coach Chris Finch as a solution for much of what has ailed Minnesota in the past.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Few would get out of bed with the flu-like symptoms that ailed Jordan in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
David Oliver, USA Today, 8 June 2026
The tweaks should fix much of what has long ailed it.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Martin did not specify what ailed her, but since comments were left on, other people spoke on her behalf.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
With none of the colonialist baggage associated with the two European superpowers, America was turned to, almost as a last resort, to fix what ailed Iran.
—Daniel Thomas Potts, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
The same problems that have ailed the team all year persisted.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
That struggling Cincinnati defense has been the cure-all for anything that has ailed the Steelers’ offense in recent years.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Most important, he’s been mentioned by Timberwolves coach Chris Finch as a solution for much of what has ailed Minnesota in the past.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
Few would get out of bed with the flu-like symptoms that ailed Jordan in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailed
Verb
-
Even if he’s never bothered to pause and consider it.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
In some cases, these kinds of candidates have not even bothered to vote, let alone hold public office.—
Garry South,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
This poor girl no longer has an identity beyond pleasing her male companion, who becomes both stifled by alarmed by this sudden, non-consensual change in personality.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Washington is increasingly alarmed by these vulnerabilities, eyeing both physical defense gaps and the risks bubbling up in software.—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Small black ants are generally harmless, but a colony of leafcutter ants can annihilate food crops, and aggressive fire ants build huge mounds and deliver a painful sting when disturbed.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
10 June 2026
-
In many cases, birds and their nests are protected by wildlife laws, meaning active nests should not be disturbed.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Keys got distracted by Sikoa and Knight took control.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Swift then got distracted by a fan who wanted to take a selfie, as Jenner, who was at the game with her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, turned around and continued speaking to her friends.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Getty Images Thierry Henry was concerned by how many Arsenal players collapsed to the turf in dismay in the aftermath of Aston Villa’s late winner against them last Saturday.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Your healthcare provider can discuss your blood pressure values and whether you should be concerned.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Some experts have worried that their use even in a learning context could stunt development.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This past offseason was a nightmare filled with mistakes, and the season has been plagued by one injury after another.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The charming little burg is plagued by a perplexing dead body problem.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In the five years since Arizona began allowing recreational adult use of marijuana, some key issues remain vague or unsettled.—
Nate Trela,
AZCentral.com,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The weekend and early next week look unsettled, with several systems tracking through the Midwest.—
Brandi D. Addison,
IndyStar,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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