as in ailments
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
half of the staff is out sick with the usual wintertime ails
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in bothers
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 ails
Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
For what ails these Timberwolves, Anderson may just be the antidote.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
No amount of what-ifs, however, will fix what ails USC during its final three games.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
In the story of how the United States of America came together for the first time, On This Day…1776 has the cure for what ails us.
—Karl Vick, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
At their best, these shows are a mirror for what ails society, typically delivered with a heaping side of melodrama and romance.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
His presence or absence from the scene will not change the fundamentals of what ails Iran.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The idea of being wrapped in a little wood house feels like the cure for whatever ails you.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
There simply doesn't seem to be a quick fix available for what ails the Texans offense.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
City may well have believed that a summer break would cure their ails and time would simply consign last season’s mid-season collapse to room 101, but the rest of the league does not forget.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Providing service to others seems like a good cure for what ails us today — a true lack of altruism and looking out for each other regardless of race, gender or religion, etc.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
For what ails these Timberwolves, Anderson may just be the antidote.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
No amount of what-ifs, however, will fix what ails USC during its final three games.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
In the story of how the United States of America came together for the first time, On This Day…1776 has the cure for what ails us.
—Karl Vick, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
At their best, these shows are a mirror for what ails society, typically delivered with a heaping side of melodrama and romance.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Jan. 2026
His presence or absence from the scene will not change the fundamentals of what ails Iran.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The idea of being wrapped in a little wood house feels like the cure for whatever ails you.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
There simply doesn't seem to be a quick fix available for what ails the Texans offense.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ails
Noun
-
Both ailments required offseason surgery.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These bacteria are known to cause a host of ailments, including listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, miscarriage, brucellosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, reactive arthritis and death.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Supplements can’t claim to treat specific diseases or medical conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
There are over 10,000 rare diseases — 95% of which don't have a cure.—
Brad Quick,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wade reportedly worries audiences may think her performances are imitating an idea Swift created due to the 14-time Grammy Award winning singer’s enormous popularity.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Much of what the farms sell is on contract with prices already set, which means those costs will have to be absorbed for now, said Parra, who worries many state crops could see lower sales as prices eventually rise in markets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In his songs, the Virginia rapper renders societal ills in high definition.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The first New Mexico trial on the ills and dangers of social media platforms began in February after a nearly three-year probe by the state.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But just the association concerns me.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators are examining suspicions of bribery involving a foreign public official and complicity which concerns former French diplomat Fabrice Aidan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, illnesses commonly spread via milk became less prevalent.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Over half of the illnesses are in children younger than 5.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Removing nodules from the ocean floor disturbs the silty seabed that's home to many organisms, like worms and small crustaceans, the scientists found.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Dethatching disturbs the soil surface, which can trigger dormant weed seeds to sprout.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ails. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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