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

Relevance

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

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 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

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

Dating back to 1898, the book is now a fragile specimen, protected in a clear plastic box that still allows for viewing.

— Patricia Babcock McGraw OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The worst of El Niño is still months away, but Southern California’s fragile coastline is already being transformed by record-setting king tides and storm surges.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

The goats’ dire situation first came to light when a former dairy employee raised concerns after witnessing emaciated and sick animals on the property, the former employee told the Idaho Statesman last year.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
What’s interesting is that Conan Doyle got sick of writing Sherlock Holmes.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 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

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

At a concert this past weekend in Cincinnati, the Beach Boys’ first show since July, apart from a private performance in Dana Point, California, Love appeared somewhat frail, according to a fan video.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
The curtain then opened to reveal a frail Mike Love seated in a chair at the center of the stage.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of frail

Adjective

Bajaria may also have hit thin ice with Sarandos after the streamer won just 16 Primetime Emmy Awards this year — its worst showing since 2016 and down from 30 in 2025.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The size of the boat, the distance from the tow boat's berth and how bad the boat is stuck will all factor into the final invoice.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ailing

adjective

verb

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