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
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
Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith is aiming to fix what ailed the Spartans offense in the second half of their Week 1 victory over Western Michigan.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Although Hill later attributed his end-of-season outburst to frustration due to a fractured wrist that ailed him all season and the Dolphins’ lack of a playoff berth, his actions likely hurt many of his teammates.
—Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith is aiming to fix what ailed the Spartans offense in the second half of their Week 1 victory over Western Michigan.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Although Hill later attributed his end-of-season outburst to frustration due to a fractured wrist that ailed him all season and the Dolphins’ lack of a playoff berth, his actions likely hurt many of his teammates.
—Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailed
Verb
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But in securing gold, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara from Japan didn’t seem to be bothered by any of that.—
Alice Park,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The American government never even bothered to tell their family members.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An Indian colleague was alarmed by the praise for colonialism.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
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The Palantir executive was alarmed by the implication of Anthropic’s inquiry that the company might resist the use of its technology in a US military operation, and reported the conversation back to the Pentagon, a senior Defense Department official said.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The study was conducted in a lab, where participants had never slept before, which could have also disturbed their sleep.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If the dirt is disturbed the next day, the den is occupied.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Yet, the brooms are out, and the cleanup has begun in earnest, creating a sense that NASCAR pushed away the off-track drama that has distracted the league.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The first part of the hearing concerned former Colleton Court county clerk Becky Hill, who clerked during Murdaugh’s trial and later wrote a tell-all book about it.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That student is in the district’s medical assisting program, and has been emailing teachers worried about making up work and getting finals done.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
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Some who follow the Make America Healthy Again movement praised his decision, but former health officials and some medical experts worried the firings would sow distrust in the public health system and in vaccines that have been found to be safe and effective.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though the snow can create dangerous conditions on roadways, its arrival is somewhat of a relief given the extremely low snowpack that has plagued the West this winter.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
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The 11-time All-Star who been plagued by injuries since 2021 says his familiar position isn’t as physically demanding as the corner outfield spots, contrary to traditional thinking.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Family members of the victims who attended the execution told The Associated Press they were unsettled by Simpson's demeanor in the death chamber.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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Mike Trout moved to right field, then mostly to DH after a knee injury, leaving the outfield unsettled.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailed. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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