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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ailed
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
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
-
The Heat’s third matchup of the season against the Raptors didn’t go well either, as Toronto’s length on the defensive end again bothered Miami.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Some voters were bothered by Turning Point's involvement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The conflict has alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant organizations, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In a message from True Religion to Saba following the incident, the brand said the report was filed due to Saba’s unauthorized entry to the offices by impersonating as a delivery person and his initial refusal to leave, which alarmed the brand’s staff.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dogs should not be disturbed while resting, as undisturbed sleep is important for their wellbeing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the show's latest season, multiple cast members wonder if the pair are getting back together, with Wilson being notably disturbed when approached by costar Jesse Solomon about possibly kissing Miller if given the chance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Woods was far more comfortable with telling officers he was distracted versus possibly impaired.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Black, naturally, also sings a verse about forgetting the wise words of a man in the Tibetan mountains because he was distracted by a terse text from his wife.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps the most reassuring detail for fans concerned about canon fidelity is how much Martin has endorsed this production.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The products are no longer available for purchase, but the FSIS is concerned that the nuggets may still be stored in some consumers’ freezers.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehy encouraged anyone worried about pacemakers to consider using the devices.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Armstrong worried that something simmered between Moriah and her longtime boyfriend Colin Strickland, whom Armstrong lived with.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whereas Phoebe lacks inhibitions, Valerie is plagued by them, and the contrasting sitcom formats of Friends (multi-cam) and The Comeback (mockumentary) call for totally different performance styles.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Lack of depth also plagued — a contrast from last year, when the four-line threat was huge.—
Greg Cote
April 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA), unsettled to minor geomagnetic storm conditions (G1) are expected this evening, with isolated to moderate (G2) levels possible as solar wind speeds continue to energize Earth's magnetic field.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Mamdani’s victory seemed to have surprised and unsettled him.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailed. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
