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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bellyache
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellyache
Noun
-
When heat index values rise above 103, changes start happening in the human body, which can lead to cramps and heat exhaustion.
-
Other signs include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, loss of appetite and bloating.
Verb
-
Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
-
The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Noun
-
Children might also experience a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances or physical pain, such as stomachaches.
-
Young children often complain of physical symptoms such as stomachaches, develop separation anxiety, and regress to earlier behaviors like bed-wetting.
Verb
-
Police said that after the girl screamed, the video shows a man getting into his vehicle and driving away.
-
The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
Verb
-
And that’s nothing to whine about.
-
Jessie whines about the good old days all the time — how fun is that?
Cite this Entry
“Bellyache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellyache. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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