as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
the constant need to cut costs was a hair shirt, but one that the theater company had to live with
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair shirts
Noun
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Major industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute have not fought to kill the federal endangerment finding, because a patchwork of state laws could ultimately replace it — leading to legal headaches and a raft of nuisance lawsuits against them, experts said.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026 -
The philosopher’s epic struggles with headaches led in part to his belief that God was dead, and also to a belief that pain, both physical and emotional, was more generative than health.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As a bonus, currant shrubs lack the thorns found on many other berry bushes.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the trees a fence of thorns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At least the quality of cabin materials—the complex leather stitching, the suppleness of the hide, the tasteful integration of carbon-fiber trim—lends the cabin a feeling of specialness that mitigates some of the tech frustrations.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
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That cryptic comment came amid widespread speculation about the future of Brown, who expressed his frustrations with the Eagles’ inconsistent pass offense during the season.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barry said the new penalties are being enacted to coincide with the town’s passage of new rules dealing with nuisances and stormwater issues.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Jody Allen should not appear on a list of the NFL’s biggest nuisances.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hair shirts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair%20shirts. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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