as in disease
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to bother
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ail
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2022
Illinois’s fiscal ails have long revolved around its pension system for teachers and state workers.
—Shruti Singh, Bloomberg.com, 18 May 2020
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
At the time, Frasers was already a substantial minority shareholder in the ailing department store.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ail 
Noun
Overall, China’s box office continues to ail, with sizable pockets of cinemas across the country still closed as a COVID precaution and consumer activity suppressed by mass testing and a prevailing sense of caution.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2022
Illinois’s fiscal ails have long revolved around its pension system for teachers and state workers.
—Shruti Singh, Bloomberg.com, 18 May 2020
Verb
The Arizona product hurt his calf during the Nuggets' narrow 121-119 Monday night victory over a tanking and ailing Toronto Raptors squad.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
At the time, Frasers was already a substantial minority shareholder in the ailing department store.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ail
Noun
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But though ruthlessly efficient at killing off some frog species, the fungus is highly vulnerable to heat: Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (about 85 degrees Fahrenheit) slow disease progression.Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
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The agency’s $48 billion budget funds medical research on cancers, vaccines and other diseases through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation.Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Does Miss Manners have a suggestion for a polite way of indicating that, since they couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge the first gift, subsequent gifts should not be solicited?Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Advertisement Martha Stewart is an ‘unreliable narrator’ but also ‘a visionary,’ documentary director says: R.J. Cutler, the director of Netflix’s ‘Martha,’ discussed his film about the lifestyle guru and businesswoman and how he isn’t bothered by her criticism of it.Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Moist compresses are used for: Boils and skin ailments Dry eyes, styes, and other eye issues Sore muscles Dry Compresses Dry compresses, like a microwavable heating pad, are a quick and easy solution for creating a warm compress.Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
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Who should avoid using a foot spa? People with certain conditions or ailments should avoid foot soaks unless otherwise instructed by their doctor.Daley Quinn Published, Health, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
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That’s alarmed some industries over others—such as Germany’s carmakers, who stand to pay steep tariffs.BYPrarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 30 Oct. 2024
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Eventually, Rabie managed to accelerate slightly, distancing the vehicle from the lioness without alarming her.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Health experts said that could deter more Americans from receiving Covid shots and routine immunizations against various diseases that have for decades saved millions of lives and prevented crippling illnesses.Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
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With chronic illness, little moments like these become milestones.Alana Kaufman, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The photos, not graphic but disturbing all the same, were allegedly taken at the scene of the Delphi murders — the double homicide of two best friends, Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, in rural Delphi, Indiana, in 2017.Aja Romano, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
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The skit started with the actors seeming disturbed.Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Fascist leaders often target minority groups and blame them for the country's ills, the War Department cautioned.Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
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To Gigi, the beneficiary, Pita was treated well, and, anyway, isn’t the American foster system a comparable social ill?Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
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This is especially concerning for the x86 crowd because both systems aren’t far off in price from the MacBook Pro tested here, especially the HP ZBook workstation.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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Two potential constitutional amendments are also on the ballot, concerning noncitizen voting and public and private school funding.Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ail
Cite this Entry
“Ail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ail. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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