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
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Recent Examples of ailing
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Streeting’s Cabinet position became a personal mission to fix an ailing National Health Service because of his own battle with kidney cancer.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
ABC News, 9 June 2026
Sneed dealt with an ailing knee late in his Chiefs tenure.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Adjective
Alcaraz never made it to the start, as he is sidelined with an ailing wrist, while Sinner lost in the second round and Djokovic lost a day later in the third round.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Streeting’s Cabinet position became a personal mission to fix an ailing National Health Service because of his own battle with kidney cancer.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Verb
The restaurant industry has been ailing.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Sneed dealt with an ailing knee late in his Chiefs tenure.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing
Adjective
-
When students learn new information, the memory is fragile and the brain needs a pause from additional cognitive demands, according to the pediatric association.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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The fierce woman who always wore black, who could light up a room with her sly jokes and smoky laughter, grew quieter and more fragile after losing her lover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Having a sick pet is emotionally a lot to handle.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
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Preventing infestation Just because one calf is sick doesn’t mean the entire herd will get it, Cammack said.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
That appears to be bothering people, as the broadcast noted some pointed conversations among the Spanish team during the hydration break.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
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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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Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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The article suggests conservatives should press Warsh on his precise definition of inflation, particularly concerning the dollar's exchange value.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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But the job market in California remains frail, said Michael Bernick, an employment attorney with law firm Duane Morris and a former director of the state EDD.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Are those still your worst fears?—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
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While a higher tracker error is not bad in and of itself, most investors become uncomfortable when their portfolio acts so differently from the index.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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