as in sore
causing or feeling bodily pain
unable to play in tomorrow's football game because of an achy right knee
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 achy
The doctor said people who aren't in good shape should not shovel snow, and even those who are in shape often suffer from achy backs, shoulders and legs.
—
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Magnesium has a calming effect in addition to relieving tight or achy muscles, while argan, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils set out to deeply nourish and soften skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Best Women’s Shoe Deals Long travel days don’t have to mean tired, achy feet.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
For me, yes—Clooney’s a strong-enough star to sell Jay’s achy heart, even amid the glitz and glamour.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for achy
Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Magnesium has a calming effect in addition to relieving tight or achy muscles, while argan, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils set out to deeply nourish and soften skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
Best Women’s Shoe Deals Long travel days don’t have to mean tired, achy feet.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
For me, yes—Clooney’s a strong-enough star to sell Jay’s achy heart, even amid the glitz and glamour.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for achy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for achy
Adjective
-
Red, dry hands that are sore and unsightly.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
-
Soon, the cold water and the beach itself fill with people, everyone immobile and sore but deeply satisfied.—
E.R. Pulgar,
SPIN,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
-
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The core characters Each character came into their own during the series, sometimes in emotionally painful ways.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
-
Hidden inside those numbers is a long and painful history.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Achy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/achy. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
