aching

adjective

ach·ing | \ˈā-kiŋ

\

Definition of aching

1 : that aches an aching back

2 : causing or reflecting distress, deep emotion, or longing aching country ballads

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about aching

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for aching

Synonyms

achy, afflictive, hurting, nasty, painful, sore

Antonyms

indolent, painless

Examples of aching in a Sentence

another one of those aching country songs about a woman who done him wrong

Recent Examples on the Web

On a recent day, one huge steer languished in the ranch’s infirmary with an herb pack applied to an aching knee. — Oliver Griffin, WSJ, "Like Your Steak Aged 36 Months? Try 17 Years," 10 July 2018 Digging in the dirt and heaving equipment in blistering heat produces aching backs and raw hands. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, "With Jobs to Fill, Businesses Play the Visa Lottery," 27 June 2018 When placed on an aching tooth, the seed would ease pain. — Mari A. Schaefer, Philly.com, "Should you eat the avocado pit?," 25 June 2018 In the other room, a South Korean volunteer quizzed Yunes Melhi Naji, a 27-year-old waiting for a free dental check for an aching molar. — Brian Murphy, Washington Post, "How hundreds of Yemenis fleeing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis ended up on a resort island in South Korea," 22 June 2018 In an aching silence, the family members of slain Wyandotte County Deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer in the front rows of a candlelight vigil Sunday night wrapped their arms together more tightly. — Joe Robertson And Ian Cummings, kansascity, "'Hungering for goodness and justice': Mourners gather in KCK to honor slain deputies," 17 June 2018 That’s because Robert Cornelius, who plays the king, is so suffused with aching mortality. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "At Gift, a 'Hamlet' with all kinds of ambition," 13 June 2018 There’s this horrible, aching thing about heartbreak. — New York Times, "52 Hours at Breakup Boot Camp," 2 June 2018 That night shrimp tacos and a restorative jalapeño margarita at Garduño’s in the Hotel Encanto de las Cruces worked wonders for my aching knees. — Anne Harnagel, latimes.com, "Searching for Billy the Kid and UFOs in southeastern New Mexico," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aching.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about aching

Dictionary Entries near aching

a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine

Statistics for aching

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for aching

The first known use of aching was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

superjacent

lying above or upon

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games