ailing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-liŋ How to pronounce ailing (audio)
Definition of ailingnext
1
as in fragile
chronically or repeatedly suffering from poor health when his ailing wife had to go to a nursing home, he visited her every day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sick
temporarily suffering from a disorder of the body he was ailing from some sort of infection in his eye that made it look all red and puffy

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ailing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ail
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy parents who were at a loss to explain what was ailing their normally vivacious daughter

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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 ailing
Adjective
Given that measles is so transmissible, the presence of measles is symptomatic of an ailing public health immunization structure. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Johnson’s role in Verity is Lowen Ashleigh, a down-on-her-luck writer who moves into the house of a mysteriously ailing but much more successful novelist, Verity Crawford (Hathaway), to help finish a blockbuster series of thrillers. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
Lisandro Martinez's outburst following Tuesday's Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid added more unwanted focus on the club as manager Michael Carrick attempted to turn its ailing campaign around. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Running back Jaylen Wright was added back onto Miami’s injury report, limited Thursday due to his ailing foot. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing
  1. fragile
  2. sick
  3. bothering
  4. dying
  5. poorly
  6. concerning
  7. frail
  8. bad
Adjective
  • Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • My childhood school in Denmark hadn’t been turned to rubble but into an emotional battlefield, a psychological groundhog’s day of explosive arguments, violent brawls—and brief, fragile truces that always shattered when the home bell rung.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • Grape expectations In 2020, macaques in an enclosure at the sanctuary started getting sick with an HIV-like virus called SRV.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Or calling in sick from work even when the doctor cleared you to return in the new year.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick
Verb
  • His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothering
Adjective
  • What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of dying
Adjective
  • For however poorly things are going — and the bad tone set by the starters has leaked into some defensive lapses and some pressing at the plate — the Padres got themselves into a really favorable position before this.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible.
    — Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Definition of poorly
Verb
  • Florida law imposes disclosure requirements concerning certain potential conflicts, and directors should disclose relevant financial or personal interests before the board considers any related transactions or decisions.
    — Gary M. Mars, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • While that detail won't mean much to most iPhone owners, the changes behind it are concerning.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of concerning
Adjective
  • An individualized exercise and diet program can improve their chances of survival while on the waiting list, a study published Wednesday in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found, with the frailest patients often benefiting the most.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In the novels, Violet is described as a small, frail cadet with dark black hair subtly streaked with silver who requires significantly more dragon-riding practice and precision than her peers.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of frail
Adjective
  • High oil prices are bad for Asia, which imports most of its fuel.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Futures are worse, Asia closed deep in the red, and Europe is also broadly lower.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of bad

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Cite this Entry

“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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