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

Looking back, Davis also sees an aching parallel between those themes and the young actresses who ultimately played Gen and Casey. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 There’s a tonal tug-of-war in this movie between naughtiness and aching sincerity. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aching

Adjective

Rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was sore but in good spirits on Sunday morning after he was struck by a pitch on the back of his right shoulder in Saturday’s victory.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Bank of America was a sore spot in the session as well, falling 5%.

— Sean Conlon,Elsa Ohlen,Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Sep. 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 attacks have hit publishers financially, Berezhna said, hurting their ability to invest in new authors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
This year's Dreamforce lands at a pivotal moment for Salesforce, which has been through a rocky year due to concerns about artificial intelligence hurting its business.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of hurting

Adjective

Bringing together the private shattering of a home with the epic tale of homecoming offers Gluck a distanced, often ironic, stance on her life’s most painful moments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Veterinarians diagnosed Cheeto with feline idiopathic cystitis, which causes a painful inflammation of the bladder.

— Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Tender Loving Care is a gentle, mournful, funny portrait of a family whose future is shadowed by uncertainty but tries to face life with cheeriness.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Part of it was the circumstances of his death and the mournful public procession through Brooklyn.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of mournful

Verb

His legs and feet have begun to regain some feeling and tingling sensations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
And, in recent years, a new culinary wave has emerged, as chefs create bold fusion dishes or, more subtly, adapt Japanese recipes to uniquely Brazilian produce, from Amazon river fish to jambu, a tongue-tingling herb.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026