ACHING Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

aching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-kiŋ

Definition of aching

as in sore

causing or feeling bodily pain my poor, aching back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weeping

expressing or suggesting mourning another one of those aching country songs about a woman who done him wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ache

as in hurting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 aching

Adjective

The dramatic and aching second movement, according to Egarr, may have been a love letter to one of Beethoven’s romantic interests. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026 And no matter what the ultimate tally, every individual is an aching, terrible loss. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

Japanese arthouse favorite Hirokazu Koreeda returns to his wheelhouse to marvelous effect with Look Back, an aching drama about growing up and making art, featuring a pair of stunning performances from child actors. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026 Green lasers shot out into the crowd, revealing the faces of fans who’d waited all night on aching feet to see their favorites. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aching

Adjective

Harvard Health Publishing notes that sloppy technique can strain the neck and leave you stiff and sore, which happen to be some of the same symptoms people blame on tech neck.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
My arm is sore from holding my phone at arm’s length for 10 minutes during the media scrum after the show.

— Vogue, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.

— David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Verb

The nationwide high school protest movement — over deteriorating school buildings, teacher shortages, and inequalities hurting schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods — has energized young voters, who may prove key to the election outcome.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
The difference could be former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, who figures to play a more prominent role in the passing game with the Bengals hurting at wide receiver.

— Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurting

Adjective

As a young, aspiring writer, Perry yearned for dramatic, painful experiences to give her something to write about.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
The album explores heartbreak, healing, faith and survival while shining a light on some of the most painful chapters of Judd's life, including her complicated relationship with her late mother Naomi Judd and Kelley's struggles.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Eleazar forgoes Thom Yorke-style belting, draws out the mournful quaver in the lyrics, and subtly reshapes the anthem in Misty’s image, her commitment to doing things her way.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
But the production here betrays its economy, and the direction, by Garth Davis and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, remains earthbound, held down by mournful strings and devoid of color.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of mournful

Adjective

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire honored Macy at a county Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, telling community leaders that her death had left his office and the wider community heartbroken.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Daria’s heartbroken family declined to comment on her death Saturday.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Verb

Short for autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR describes the pleasant, tingling calm some people feel in response to soft sensory input, like whispering, tapping, or watching something being squished.

— Steven John, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
In humans, symptoms often include fever, weakness and headache before progressing to tingling sensations, anxiety, agitation, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, coma and death.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026