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.
Dawn had had a lifelong interest in homeopathy and spent hours obsessively detailing her children’s ailments. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 Despite suffering a knee ailment and biceps soreness this season, Ohtani is slowly trying to take the mound for the first time in more than two months. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Martin-Scott was dealing with a hamstring ailment, Canales said. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026 Tracking of an outbreak of the intestinal ailment began with a sudden spike in cases that got the attention of local and state health officials in late June. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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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