ACHES Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

aches 1 of 2

noun

plural of ache

as in pains

a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body a dull pounding ache in his head

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aches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ache

as in hurts

to feel or cause physical pain my feet ache from all that walking

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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 aches

Noun

Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, confusion and, in some cases, diarrhea. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 July 2026 Other signs include vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches. — Brittany Miller , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026 Eating snacks, going over adjustments with coaches and stretching out body aches are par for the course, as during any other halftime break. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Symptoms typically develop two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and coughing. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Those include aches and pains, fever, cough, shortness of breath. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 July 2026 The illness can begin with flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, body aches and loss of appetite. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2026 Spreading through bites from infected mosquitoes, symptoms of West Nile could include fever, headache, nausea, body aches and a mild skin rash. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Verb

After a long day on the mountain, steal away to the soaking tub in one of the guest bathrooms to melt your stress (and muscle aches) away. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026 Some people also experience vomiting, headaches, body aches or a low-grade fever. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Both times, his illness began with intense fatigue and body aches before progressing to intense diarrhea. — Janelle Mella, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026 While most infected people are asymptomatic, some may experience fever, headaches and body aches, and less than 1% develop severe illness that may result in hospitalization or death. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 Some people may also experience body aches, headache or vomiting. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 July 2026 The illness can begin with flu-like symptoms, such as severe fatigue and body aches. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 10 July 2026 Less common symptoms include a low-grade fever, vomiting, headache and body aches. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 About 20% of infected persons develop a mild illness that includes a fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aches

Noun

Not surprisingly, the museum is taking pains to emphasize that the exhibit will not shy away from the problematic aspects of Galliano’s history.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Blackouts and seizures, tremors that became full-body shakes, stabbing chest pains.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of pains

Verb

Those competitors offer multi-user discounts, so LiveOne's omission of a family plan hurts it a bit more now that its individual rates have crept up.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026
Some say moving a historic building from its original or longtime location hurts its integrity by removing it from its historic and physical context.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of hurts

Noun

Statements by government lawyers that contradict the official White House line are not merely the results of pangs of conscience.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Yet for the drivers, the pangs of change were felt through the last race at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, and are anticipated again at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 15 July 2026