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
William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Blacklock had thought about enrolling at Michigan State or UCLA, but Texas afforded him a chance to be near his ailing mother.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
So instead of having to force the action, as was the case when Herro was out or Powell was ailing, there was a flow to Wiggins’ game against the Grizzlies, opportunities that presented themselves.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Adjective
The attention attracts con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo and appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her ailing son.
—William Earl, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Blacklock had thought about enrolling at Michigan State or UCLA, but Texas afforded him a chance to be near his ailing mother.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
After flying with the team to Milwaukee, Jovic returned to South Florida to receive treatment on his ailing back.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
So instead of having to force the action, as was the case when Herro was out or Powell was ailing, there was a flow to Wiggins’ game against the Grizzlies, opportunities that presented themselves.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing
Adjective
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By capturing organisms in extraordinary detail, resources like Antscan create a permanent, high-resolution record of life’s architecture—an anatomical time capsule that can be queried and revisited long after fragile specimens degrade or wild populations vanish.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
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Be careful though, as lampshades are fragile and can even become brittle.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As the harried solo parent of a sick child, Byrne lets the camera zoom in so close to her character’s insecurities that the audience breaks out in a cold sweat.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Threats to the environment and wildlife are still ever-present — a new highly pathogenic avian influenza has just hit the state, McGuire said, making birds and now elephant seals in Northern California sick.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Stop bothering me with things that don’t make sense.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 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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Detainees struggle to obtain medication and healthcare, lose concerning amounts of weight because of a lack of food, and live in fear of private security guards known to use force to put down disturbances.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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By contrast, University goalie Lucca Clouthier had six saves, but only one that was concerning.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For all its public association with queerness, ballet remains largely committed to a frail, wispy femininity and a princely but muscular and explosive masculinity—with the stringent, often punishing body-shape standards to match.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
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Over time in 2025, Chandler and Webster said Acacio had started to appear frail and thin.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Knicks were held to less than 100 points for only the seventh time and had their fourth-worst three-point shooting performance of the season, going eight for 34.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Pacers have the second-worst record in the NBA, 1 ½ games better than Sacramento.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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