1
as in ache
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the child was crying because of a pain in her knee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
a sprained ankle caused him great pain for a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in care
pains plural
strict attentiveness to what one is doing
asked the movers to take pains to be sure that they didn't damage anything while moving the furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in work
pains plural
the active use of energy in producing a result
she was at pains to reassure us that everything would be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
sometimes that child, who apparently never tires of asking questions, can be such a pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pain
Ari Levy, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Abdominal cramping, pain or bloating.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Missing Barcelona pained Vowles and Williams as a whole.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pain
Noun
But with global markets feeling the pain of rising fuel costs and uncertainty about when the conflict in the Middle East may settle, Micron's results did nothing to soothe Wall Street's nerves.
—Ari Levy, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Abdominal cramping, pain or bloating.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The disappearances also pain me.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Missing Barcelona pained Vowles and Williams as a whole.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pain
Noun
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These soft, breathable and moisture-wicking compression socks help reduce swelling, and relieve aches and fatigue.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In retrospect, taken collectively, much of McCarthy’s work as an actor, filmmaker and journalist hinges on the friendship motif — that primordial ache to belong, that yearning to be seen.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There is a long history of women's pain being dismissed by doctors, incorrectly categorized as period pain or rooted in psychological distress.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The lawsuit accuses the driver, named as a defendant, of assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado Hospital Association — which opposes the bill — says state laws require all hospitals to screen patients for discounted care, wait six months before garnishing wages, and provide 30 days' notice.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Staffers showed up to providers for in-person visits, sometimes checking more than once, and found no child care taking place, which led to immediate termination from the program.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While Protect Wyoming is necessarily focused within the state and on state politics, rather than federal candidates, its work stands to influence nonresidents who hunt, fish, and recreate in the state.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
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For commuters like Sirena Lopez, who drives two hours each way for work, the impact is immediate.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pests have been a nuisance in the foothills for years.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Some customers found Buc-ees pay-at-the-pump policy to be a minor nuisance.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It was later changed due to players getting hurt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, having players of those caliber on the court, both of whom have either been to the NBA Finals or won it, certainly shouldn't hurt.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The book cover trend, imbued with nostalgia for childhood, promises fiction that grapples with the pangs of adulthood in an age of precarity.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
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Minnesota fans may have had some mild pangs over parting with Buium or Rossi, but a mid- to late-20s pick for arguably the best defenseman on the planet?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most Miami Beach residents and visitors have likely seen the giant bronze sculpture of an outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.—
Lauren Costantino
March 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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But in the short term, the decision is likely to be popular with millions of Americans who’ve seen all the airport agony and have never liked the idea of using federal government shutdowns — of any kind, by either party — to win partisan policy fights.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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