1
as in fragile
chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health
when his ailing wife had to go to a nursing home, he visited her every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body
he was ailing from some sort of infection in his eye that made it look all red and puffy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bothering
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ailing
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
In this new show, unlikely friends Marsha and Wendy wrestle with the mysteries of the teenage heart (and dragons), while jumping between alchemy class, dodgeball and theater club in a melodrama about the unusual humans and mutants that attend an ailing public boarding school.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 11 May 2026
David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Beyond their moniker, the Nova Knicks are, in fact, a proof in concept, an antidote, answer and solution to everything that is ailing college basketball.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Adjective
Bergstrom competed all throughout last year with an ailing knee, a season after she was sidelined at state due to a stress fracture in her foot.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
In this new show, unlikely friends Marsha and Wendy wrestle with the mysteries of the teenage heart (and dragons), while jumping between alchemy class, dodgeball and theater club in a melodrama about the unusual humans and mutants that attend an ailing public boarding school.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 11 May 2026
Verb
The Portland Trail Blazers took them to five games, the Minnesota Timberwolves (an ailing team) took them to six games, and the Thunder lost in seven.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Beyond their moniker, the Nova Knicks are, in fact, a proof in concept, an antidote, answer and solution to everything that is ailing college basketball.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing
Adjective
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The latest claims come after a week of tit-for-tat strikes that strained an already fragile ceasefire reached in April.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
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Named for privateer Jean Lafitte, who aided American forces during the War of 1812, the park preserves cultural traditions alongside fragile ecosystems.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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One daycare worker had also called in sick that morning and another child was on the way.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an investigation notice and public health advisory on Thursday, June 4, after eight people became sick across three states.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs' defense and showing little sign that his knee was bothering him.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
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If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.—
Dory Zayas,
Parents,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This fragmented model creates friction and quietly drains profitability through unbilled hours, margin erosion from poorly staffed projects and elevated turnover when top talent hits operational roadblocks.—
DJ Paoni,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Finding baby squirrels in your yard can be both heartwarming and concerning.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 2026
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This year, Consumer Reports tested 49 more formulas and found concerning levels of contaminants in 26 of them.—
Rachel Fobar,
Daily News,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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These moments are delightfully painful moments that remind just how frail this current moment in our relationship to technology continues to be.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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Modifiers are long-standing medical coding tools that identify patients that are sicker, frailer, or undergoing unusually complex procedures.—
Dr. John Guzzi,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Especially defensively, where the Sparks had seemingly been getting worse.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The festival begins next week for the World Cup, but part of Poplar Drive is already closed, and some neighbors say the closure is making traffic in the area even worse.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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