ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
Synonyms of ailment
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment

Synonyms of ailment

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Examples of ailment in a Sentence

She suffered from a chronic back ailment. The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Last season, Williams missed 49 regular-season games and much of the postseason after dealing with a right wrist injury that required surgery and nagging hamstring ailments in both legs. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 So, too, was Capra’s, despite some misbegotten movies and his struggles with depression and other ailments. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Evans showed up on the injury report Monday with a triceps/knee ailment. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 He has been listed on the injury report with a thumb ailment this week and a toe injury in Week 2. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailment

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailment was in 1606

Rhymes for ailment

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Browse Nearby Words

aillt
ailment
Ailsa Craig
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Cite this Entry

“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
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