Synonyms of bellyache

bellyache 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-lē-ˌāk 

as in cramps

abdominal pain especially when focused in the digestive organs

eating too many apples will give you a bellyache

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cramps
• stomachache
• collywobbles
• colic
• gripes

bellyache

2 of 2

verb

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

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan
• mutter
• grumble
• worry
• bitch
• squawk
• murmur
• cry
• growl
• holler
• gripe
• whimper
• kick
• wail
• nag
• squeal
• kvetch
• grouse
• beef
• bleat
• whinge
• repine
• inveigh
• caterwaul
• yammer
• carp
• grouch
• yowl
• grizzle
• crab
• fuss
• croak
• protest
• keen
• grump
• yawp
• kick up a fuss
• maunder
• cavil
• quarrel (with)
• sob
• object (to)
• quibble
• lament
• fret
• stew
• bemoan
• bewail
• blubber
• deplore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoice
• delight
• endure
• accept
• tolerate
• take
• bear
• crow
• cheer
• applaud
• countenance
• commend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bellyache

Noun

These are the things that give Texas coach Sean Miller a bellyache, and the has been not uncommon this season. — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026

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

Just a sweet glide across the land, no bellyache from a jostle. — Arkansas Online, 30 June 2021

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

Public bellyaching sessions — sorry, hearings — have already begun, and the next ones will be held on May 2, 4, and 28. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 30 Apr. 2026

The phrase on the front led the group to burst into a bellyaching laughter. — Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026

So stop the bleating and bellyaching over Bronzeville. — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

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

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