as in pains
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
a dull pounding ache in his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 aches
Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 20 Oct. 2025
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
There is even a massage with horses, during which a horse grazes nearby while a massage therapist works out your aches and pains.
—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Eye irritation or redness, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or rash.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
Research finds that more than 70% of women experience MSM during menopause, which include loss of muscle mass, bone density and joint aches and pains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025
The performances from McNairy, Nessa Dougherty as a young Alysia and Emilia Jones as a teen/adult Alysia capture her aches and longing.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The medium-firm memory foam balances a cozy, sink-in feeling with actual support that won’t leave you with aches and pains come morning.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Jack Bantock, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
For those experiencing less severe infections, symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which often last between one and three days, according to the FDA.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, and confusion, with higher risks for pregnant individuals, adults 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, and confusion, and can be particularly serious for certain high-risk groups.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle aches, skin rash or swelling.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
For many, the virus results in flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, per the CDC.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Weeks to months after exposure, an infected person may experience flu-like symptoms that can include fever, headache and overall body aches.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Symptoms are similar to the common flu, including fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, eye irritation and tiredness.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 20 Oct. 2025
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
There is even a massage with horses, during which a horse grazes nearby while a massage therapist works out your aches and pains.
—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Eye irritation or redness, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or rash.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
Research finds that more than 70% of women experience MSM during menopause, which include loss of muscle mass, bone density and joint aches and pains.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025
The performances from McNairy, Nessa Dougherty as a young Alysia and Emilia Jones as a teen/adult Alysia capture her aches and longing.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The medium-firm memory foam balances a cozy, sink-in feeling with actual support that won’t leave you with aches and pains come morning.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
The pain of that premature departure still aches more than a decade on.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
For those experiencing less severe infections, symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which often last between one and three days, according to the FDA.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, and confusion, with higher risks for pregnant individuals, adults 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, and confusion, and can be particularly serious for certain high-risk groups.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Other symptoms may include headache, muscle aches, skin rash or swelling.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
For many, the virus results in flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, per the CDC.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Weeks to months after exposure, an infected person may experience flu-like symptoms that can include fever, headache and overall body aches.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Symptoms are similar to the common flu, including fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, eye irritation and tiredness.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aches
Noun
-
Aches and pains don’t compare to the agony of an unrealized dream.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Such pleasurable pains, at their most chronic, or their most carnal, can keep Lang occupied for the length of a stanza.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is where Sturm’s back injury hurts.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Calling recently during a two-day run in Madison, Wisconsin, Batiste is delighted to discuss not only his new music, but his love of Joni Mitchell, his collaboration with Beyoncé and how the loss of late-night shows hurts musicians.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These pangs are only compounded by the cliffhanger that concluded Season 2, in which President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) suffered a fatal heart attack and elevated his vice president, Grace Penn (Allison Janney), to the top of the call sheet.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Sharp cracks of gunfire pierced the morning air, loud, jarring pangs that echoed off the concrete.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Portugal’s coastline throbs with beach goers and sports enthusiasts.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aches. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share