as in cramps
abdominal pain especially when focused in the digestive organs
eating too many apples will give you a bellyache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
tired of the kids bellyaching every time they're asked to mow the lawn or take out the trash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bellyache
Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
No place to stay Reaching San Antonio, Dieuvena, Banel and Matéo Sebastien slept at the airport, waiting for a flight to Boston, during which time the 4-year-old boy began complaining of a bellyache.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 30 Apr. 2023
When Chrysler swallowed AMC, we flinty-eyed industry observers wondered if Lee Iacocca would end up with a bellyache.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 11 Apr. 2023
Just a sweet glide across the land, no bellyache from a jostle.
—Arkansas Online, 30 June 2021
Some adverse reactions to look out for can be diarrhea and bellyaches.
If your canine (and their stomach) loves the new snack, then great.
—Jackie Frere, Woman's Day, 2 Apr. 2019
The intersection between sports and pop culture in America has existed at least since Babe Ruth’s famous bellyache in 1925.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 15 July 2016
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
And the second major benefit to weekly recycling: People finally stop bellyaching about biweekly recycling.
—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2024
Whereas Michael Myers paced calmly in a silly jumpsuit, Lewis bellyached in moody black outfits.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
DeSantis hasn’t ceased bellyaching about being outmaneuvered by Disney’s lawyers.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
All of us have cheated this way before and hopefully didn’t bellyache too loudly when we were called out for it.
—Don Yaeger, Forbes, 16 June 2021
But grousing over presidential vacations is a bit of a political charade; Democrats bellyache about Republican presidents taking time off and vice versa, but even a commander in chief needs some downtime.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 3 June 2021
At the heart of the espalier is the stake about which Grenadiers are known to bellyache.
—Paul Muldoon, The New York Review of Books, 24 Sep. 2020
But on a losing team that couldn’t get him the football, Sanders made faces and bellyached.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2019
Noun
The play then folds itself in half, like a man with a bellyache.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
No place to stay Reaching San Antonio, Dieuvena, Banel and Matéo Sebastien slept at the airport, waiting for a flight to Boston, during which time the 4-year-old boy began complaining of a bellyache.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 30 Apr. 2023
When Chrysler swallowed AMC, we flinty-eyed industry observers wondered if Lee Iacocca would end up with a bellyache.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 11 Apr. 2023
Just a sweet glide across the land, no bellyache from a jostle.
—Arkansas Online, 30 June 2021
Some adverse reactions to look out for can be diarrhea and bellyaches.
If your canine (and their stomach) loves the new snack, then great.
—Jackie Frere, Woman's Day, 2 Apr. 2019
The intersection between sports and pop culture in America has existed at least since Babe Ruth’s famous bellyache in 1925.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 15 July 2016
Verb
But alas, developers Game Freak have opted to improve the aesthetics just enough to skirt online bellyaching rather than making any attempt to wow fans.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
And the second major benefit to weekly recycling: People finally stop bellyaching about biweekly recycling.
—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2024
Whereas Michael Myers paced calmly in a silly jumpsuit, Lewis bellyached in moody black outfits.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
DeSantis hasn’t ceased bellyaching about being outmaneuvered by Disney’s lawyers.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
All of us have cheated this way before and hopefully didn’t bellyache too loudly when we were called out for it.
—Don Yaeger, Forbes, 16 June 2021
But grousing over presidential vacations is a bit of a political charade; Democrats bellyache about Republican presidents taking time off and vice versa, but even a commander in chief needs some downtime.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 3 June 2021
At the heart of the espalier is the stake about which Grenadiers are known to bellyache.
—Paul Muldoon, The New York Review of Books, 24 Sep. 2020
But on a losing team that couldn’t get him the football, Sanders made faces and bellyached.
—Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellyache
Noun
-
And if not for leaving for seven plays in the fourth quarter with cramps, Dowdle almost certainly would have broken Williams’ mark.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Some people consider dark chocolate a natural remedy for period cramps and pain.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Yost and others who opposed the sale of books from the library complained that HUC should not sell part of its collection to ease its financial problems.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Physical symptoms can include headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Most people get high fever, nausea, diarrhea, stomachaches and muscle stiffness.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the Target employees announced the launch, the fans screamed and were called up to the counter one by one.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during a large overnight raid that has left tenants and neighbors shaken.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many of the people opining and whining about how this moment could be as bad or worse than the 2000 bust are uninformed or ahistorical.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The canine was filmed barking and whining incessantly while balancing himself on his owner's knees.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The recognizable munchies didn't stop the cast members from moaning, groaning and throwing up as usual.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bellyache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellyache. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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