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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailed
Verb
-
Even as Dylan maneuvers weightier situations like romantic rejection, or the uncertainty of a new leadership position, or feeling bothered that a promising student decides to turn her back on poetry, the actress brings a sense of humanity while embracing her character’s flaws.—
Candice Frederick,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Gilgeous-Alexander, smothered and bothered, was a minus-13 in the period.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The unprecedentedly large numbers of killings alarmed Western governments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Your mother, suddenly, is alarmed by your exhaustion.—
Taiye Selasi,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Charges against the ambulance thief — who was emotionally disturbed, according to a police source — were pending Thursday.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Shaina was fascinated by Greek mythology but disturbed by the concept of other Gods.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
With Cargill distracted, Ripley went on the offensive.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Before his interview with IndieWire can begin, Charles Melton becomes distracted by a wayward eyelash.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Across 2025-26, there are few outstanding contenders — a reflection upon, at least as far as the Premier League is concerned, a Newcastle campaign riddled with inconsistency and underperformance (for the most part).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Persistent high interest rates also present a challenge since electrification benefits play out over time and high interest rates can spook companies concerned about short-term returns (or even survival).—
Justin Worland,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Labor interests, in particular, worried that a private Pinnacol would end up raising rates and leaving high-risk industries, such as construction, unable to afford workers’ comp insurance.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
But those lot rents have slowly increased across the state and have priced out some retirees, leaving Good Samaritan residents worried the change in ownership may push them out too.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the rosary recital in the grotto, I was plagued with worry.—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes and armed attacks have plagued the race, and last June, politician and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally.—
Raquel Coronell Uribe,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The combined disgust, discomfort, ignorance, and fascination with our Indigeneity that unsettled my aunties and fascinated my cousins made more sense to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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What can safely be said is that AI vertical production has reached the edge of the film market, even if its role is still unsettled.—
Maureen Kerr,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailed. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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