aids 1 of 2

noun

Definition of aidsnext
plural of aid
1
as in aides
a person who helps a more skilled person Jack is his mother's preferred aid in the kitchen, as his sister Janice is clumsy when it comes to chopping and peeling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in benefits
a thing that helps a dictionary is a handy aid for working crossword puzzles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in assists
an act or instance of helping the clerk asked if she needed any aid carrying out her purchases

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aids

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of aid
as in helps
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end sought to aid her in her search for a dachshund puppy by looking online

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 aids
Noun
Healthcare and elder care have generated particular concern because many Haitians worked as home health aids and certified nursing assistants caring for patients and elderly residents. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026 Steadman and Myers allegedly made several purchases at pharmacies for sleeping aids and other prescription medication in the days leading up to the deaths, according to Rabbitt. — Matt Foster, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 Companies are synthetically concentrating the psychoactive compound found in kratom leaves into various products sold as dietary aids in gas stations and smoke shops. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 These invisible aids help prevent wheelspin and a driver’s loss of control. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 31 July 2026 Charged has offered a fair bit of electronic aids on board, starting with ABS, traction control, hill hold (hill start assist), and hill descent assist. — New Atlas, 30 July 2026 In savory dishes, guava’s sugar content aids in caramelizing marinated meats or can instantly brighten up sauces and glazes paired with proteins. — Su-Jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 Museums can use data to manage traffic by adjusting opening hours and providing navigational aids, but digital tools also enable subtler interventions. — Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026 Eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and medically necessary home modifications. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Verb
That’s according to Nithin Mummaneni, CEO of Infinity Loop, a negotiation intelligence platform that aids enterprises in negotiating better terms with the manufacturers that make their products. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026 Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, feeds gut bacteria and softens stool, whereas insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and aids regular bowel movements. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026 Emerge now aids nearly 1,900 survivors through complex legal processes and offers a crucial reintegration program for young women aging out of state care at 18, teaching vital life skills. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The movie focuses on a murder of a shepherd unraveled by his flock, which aids a somewhat hapless rural policeman in solving the crime. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026 Lemon balm, which aids sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 Luckily for me—and all other fans of Carpenter’s bombshell waves—the leave-in conditioner that smooths frizz and aids against damage is available for $36 on Amazon. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 13 July 2026 Attendees can learn how compost improves soil structure, aids moisture retention and supplies slow-release nutrients, and can join composting experts to explore backyard and worm composting through live demonstrations. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 July 2026 Eat plenty of fiber, which aids digestion and decreases your risk. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aids
  1. aides
  2. benefits
  3. assists
  4. helps
  5. assistants
  6. advantages
  7. help
  8. apprentices
Noun
  • Two aides eased Eleanor from her bedroom to an armchair in the study.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • After days of anticipation about whether this 'NIL Bill' would actually be taken up for a vote, Senate aides were scrambling early Saturday morning to make their way back to the Capitol.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of aides
Noun
  • The 78-year-old Larson was poised to be influential inside a potential Democratic majority and has led the party on efforts to expand Social Security benefits and fortify the program into the future.
    — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Plus, sardines are often packed in tins with extra virgin olive oil, so you get added anti-inflammatory benefits.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of benefits
Noun
  • Tordin now leads the NWSL in goal contributions (seven goals, eight assists), just ahead of Rodman and Sanchez.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In six seasons at Dortmund, Reyna amassed 19 goals and 18 assists in 147 games.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of assists
Verb
  • Choose the space, silence, or gentle boundary that helps your nervous system settle.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This process helps redefine identity and find new avenues for skills and values, proving that professional identity isn't erased when a job title disappears.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of helps
Noun
  • The Angels fired former Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and two of his assistants earlier Tuesday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Another feature is designated office space for the hall director and resident assistants meet with students in an area that is outside of their personal rooms.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistants
Noun
  • One of the biggest advantages demonstrated by the new approach is speed.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Boko Haram militants in Nigeria are using (mostly closed) AI to plan attacks and gain tactical advantages, The New York Times reported.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantages
Noun
  • The district is also preparing to develop a new elementary-school literacy curriculum this school year, with the help of new state funding.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the students who will be returning to Georgia’s campuses this month are only able to afford school with the help of federal student loans.
    — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • City Colleges recently launched Chicago Moonshot, an apprenticeship initiative associated with the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, where the district has committed to graduating hundreds of IT apprentices over the next five years.
    — Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • There are currently 17 apprentices at the Winter Park facility.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprentices

Browse Nearby Words

aidmen
aids
aiguille
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aids. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on aids

Nglish: Translation of aids for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gnomic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All