as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
a doctor known for successfully treating patients with chronic back ailments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ailments
Autoimmune diseases—a broad and complex category of ailments including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes—have long puzzled researchers.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Mendoza envisions Mauricio providing infield depth as Polanco and Baty (jammed thumb) deal with ailments.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Matterhorn Fit treats ailments that affect the neck, back and pelvis, which include sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, thoracic pain, cervical pain, sports hernia recovery and cervicogenic headache.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The growing exodus reflects the challenges Bass faces while trying to help some of the city’s neediest residents, many of whom struggle with mental health conditions, substance use issues or major physical ailments.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In one case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
There, an old Tibetan man (Tsewang Migyur Khangsar) requests a Tibetan doctor to tend to his ever more troubling ailments.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
So much so that Avalanche coach Jared Bednar can’t wait to one day sit down with Burns and discuss all the ailments that may have kept many a player sidelined for days, weeks and maybe even months.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Medicine Humans have long sought to find cures for the ailments and injuries that befall them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Mendoza envisions Mauricio providing infield depth as Polanco and Baty (jammed thumb) deal with ailments.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Matterhorn Fit treats ailments that affect the neck, back and pelvis, which include sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, thoracic pain, cervical pain, sports hernia recovery and cervicogenic headache.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The growing exodus reflects the challenges Bass faces while trying to help some of the city’s neediest residents, many of whom struggle with mental health conditions, substance use issues or major physical ailments.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
In one case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
There, an old Tibetan man (Tsewang Migyur Khangsar) requests a Tibetan doctor to tend to his ever more troubling ailments.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
So much so that Avalanche coach Jared Bednar can’t wait to one day sit down with Burns and discuss all the ailments that may have kept many a player sidelined for days, weeks and maybe even months.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Medicine Humans have long sought to find cures for the ailments and injuries that befall them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailments
Noun
-
Overwatering can leave grass with weak roots and vulnerable to diseases, so stick to a schedule and spot-treat patches if needed.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
-
However, these squashes can also be vulnerable to common plant diseases like powdery mildew or mosaic virus.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Aging and damaged brain cells, or neurons, can cause memory problems and limit the brain’s ability to recover from illnesses.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This challenge is compounded for older Americans with multiple chronic illnesses — the fastest-growing segment of our population.—
Benjamin Kornitzer,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And this one guy at this one firm can't solve all of his industry's ills.—
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Even as professional coders are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the power of AI coding tools, many end users still see them as a boogeyman to instantly blame for any and all observed ills in the tech industry.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
-
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Endicott already has been a stop for some ships previously and an alternative when conditions in Tracy Arm, such as excess ice, have been unsafe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Red danger flags were flying due to ocean conditions.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Typhus causes fevers and other symptoms, but is rarely fatal.—
Don Sweeney
April 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ailments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailments. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
