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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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

Arenado said he's used to the normal aches and pains at this stage of his career, especially when playing the day after a night game. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 In your first trimester, exercises like bear crawls, side planks and bird dogs can reduce aches and pains later in pregnancy, like pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called lightning crotch. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026 Symptoms typically develop between two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and coughing. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 Menthol especially has a cooling effect, which could ease the tension that results in migraines or muscle aches. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The arnica in this gel can help treat sore muscles, aches, swelling, or other pains that are bothering you, too. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026 About one in five people infected with West Nile virus developed flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, body aches and nausea. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Common symptoms include watery diarrhea and stomach aches, but can also include nausea, headaches, vomiting and loss of appetite. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Common symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, rash, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Of those infected, 80% do not experience symptoms, but one in five develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache or body aches. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 Symptoms include headaches, fever and body aches, Surasi said, but can progress to vomiting and neurological issues in serious cases. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aches

Noun

Nielsen has taken great pains to caution that there is no guarantee that ratings gains will accompany these changes, which are being implemented to further improve the accuracy of its data gathering.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026
If an infected person has trouble breathing, persistent chest pains or pressure, loses consciousness or sudden confusion, call 911.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pains

Verb

Diluting the term for expats not only hurts them, but also does a disservice to both the concepts of culture fatigue and culture whiplash.

— Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The Balkanization of global trade and finance hurts countries such as the United States that rely heavily on massive foreign inflows.

— Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 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