AILING Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

ailing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-liŋ

Definition of ailing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Costello told The News there weren’t many people looking out for the ailing former mayor. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 It should be duly noted, Bailey Johnson would be a worthy option to join whichever lady decides on the supporting campaign and as the ailing father, Paul Jesson is also incredibly rich and dynamic and would be worthy of consideration. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

The company’s success has become a case study for the ailing $50 billion Swiss watch industry and the broader luxury economy. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026 His descriptions of being bullied in high school for his sexuality resemble plotlines from Very Special Episodes of TV, and his relationship with his ailing father is similarly generic. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ailing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ailing

Adjective

Despite the encouraging news, scientists stress that caution remains essential as the island’s fragile ecosystem faces serious environmental threats.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Saturday marks a year since a fragile ceasefire took effect, while Israeli strikes continue.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

Along with missing guard Dru Smith (right calf strain) and two-way contract forward Keshad Johnson (right hamstring strain) for the second straight exhibition game, the Heat was also without guard Pelle Larsson (sick) on Thursday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Two types of influenza — A and B — are responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics that make people sick, according to the California Department of Public Health.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of sick

Verb

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
If neck pain keeps coming back or the lines bothering you keep getting deeper, talk with a doctor or dermatologist instead of relying on a gadget alone.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of bothering

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

The Mipcom presentation follows a May ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court concerning the game’s intellectual property rights.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Those admissions could become important evidence in Pulido’s prosecution, although the allegations concerning him have not been tested in court.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of concerning

Adjective

As a result, in Lourdes the question of respecting even the most frail, sick and vulnerable is particularly acute.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Footage from recent Beach Boys shows, though, had many concerned that Love was reaching Frankie Valli levels of uncanny due to a frail voice and appearance.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

But then came the nightmare of Game 3, one of the Sox’s worst performances in weeks.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Specifically, people with worse fever tended to have more of a protein called flagellin in their systems than those with little to no fever.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

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ailed

ailing

ailment

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“Ailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ailing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ailing

adjective

verb

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