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
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
Tatis is expected to stay home at least another day, as the Padres await results of tests to see what ails him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Naming what ails you is not the same as overcoming it.
—Hena Bryan, Refinery29, 26 Aug. 2025
No, this is not an instant fix for everything that ails Bungie.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Yordan Alvarez’s potential return by the end of this week does offer hope for a turnaround, but Alvarez can’t mask everything that ails this teetering team.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
But Buttigieg might not provide the cure for what ails the party, political observers say.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 1 Aug. 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
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
Tatis is expected to stay home at least another day, as the Padres await results of tests to see what ails him.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Naming what ails you is not the same as overcoming it.
—Hena Bryan, Refinery29, 26 Aug. 2025
No, this is not an instant fix for everything that ails Bungie.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Yordan Alvarez’s potential return by the end of this week does offer hope for a turnaround, but Alvarez can’t mask everything that ails this teetering team.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
But Buttigieg might not provide the cure for what ails the party, political observers say.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ails
Noun
-
Guard Mekhi Becton has played just 51 percent of the offensive snaps for various ailments.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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Currently, people of African decent comprise 2% or less of the global genomic data — information that is essential to understanding risks of certain diseases and other ailments and is key to crafting effective treatments and preventative measures.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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What bothers her most is how the refusal seemed to change her brother’s behavior.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The ticks can transmit diseases such as ehrlichiosis and bourbon virus, both of which can also be transmitted by the Lone Star tick, according to the press release.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Oct. 2025
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University of Saskatchewan scientists developed a 3D lung tissue model to provide a better environment for studying medicines and diseases like tuberculosis, COVID-19, asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Though Lessig worries about uncertainty over what’s protected dissuading employees from coming forward.—
Harry Booth,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
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However, Hanage worries that the current messaging around vaccines could ultimately have a negative effect on the most vulnerable.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The retraction was expected by many nutrition experts, who have long questioned claims that this kind of vinegar could remedy ills including obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
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Orbán has long sought to consolidate his power through concocting scapegoats for Hungary’s ills.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest not-quite-smoking-gun claim concerns a potential exomoon that may be erupting to spew debris onto and around its host planet.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Scientific American,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Bubble concerns Stocks — particularly those related to AI — have soared this year.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The foundation helps families whose children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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According to the Florida Department of Health, vibrio is annually blamed for dozens of illnesses - 27 statewide in 2025, along with five deaths.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And when our American players have to control the crowd, that distracts them from playing.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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This might mean dropping a product line that’s profitable but distracts from your core business, or saying no to a good opportunity that isn’t aligned with your growth strategy.—
Minna Hu,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ails. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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