headache

noun

ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
Definition of headachenext
1
as in job
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work filling out all the required forms was a real headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
something that is a source of irritation one of the headaches of being a band teacher is never knowing if the school's music program will be cut

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 headache Most people who are infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms or have a mild illness that may include fever, headache and body aches, according to health officials. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Most people infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches, health officials said. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 His opponent, Republican Michael Whatley, is trying to flip the script by arguing that Democrats like Cooper helped create today’s affordability headaches. — Luke Fountain,megan Cassella, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026 Roughly 5% of people infected develop symptoms including fever, headaches, body aches, nausea and vomiting. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headache
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headache
  1. job
  2. nuisance
  3. killer
  4. frustration
  5. burden
  6. thorn
  7. effort
  8. worry
Noun
  • Jeffrey Katzenberg, then a studio executive at Paramount Pictures, hand-picked the Happy Days star for the job, but at the time, Winkler had a bad feeling about accepting it.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And Kyle was doing a great job of dialing up the right play calls.
    — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • Alas, by disguising themselves in earthling form, these superior beings must submit themselves to the worst indignities of the human condition — namely the frequent need to go to the bathroom and the constant nuisance of dealing with emotions.
    — Cortlyn Kelly, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The petition sought to classify data centers as industrial nuisances, arguing that a ban would protect residents’ property and preserve city resources, such as water and electricity.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The use of an ECG alone has detection levels of up to 85 per cent, but some studies suggest an even greater rate for what are known as ‘silent killers’, where the vast majority display no symptoms before cardiac arrest.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Shortly after Hollander was identified as the assumed killer, the rest of his car was searched and police started to suspect him in another murder case with similar details.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of killer
Noun
  • The frustration within the Democratic caucus immediately prompted some calls for harsh consequences.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The AfD was created in 2013 as a small anti-euro party before morphing into an anti-migrant force that tapped into voter frustration over immigration and the strains many Germans perceive on housing, jobs and public services.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • Offloading that cognitive and physical burden to an intelligent system allows high-end cardiovascular interventions to scale far more easily to clinics and communities worldwide.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Whatever option Toronto chooses, the burden falls on Cease and Soriano to continue their strong play.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of burden
Noun
  • Roses are considered non-toxic, though thorns can cause injuries and floral preservatives may still pose a risk.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Agoura’s versatile George Hastings will try to be a thorn for Westlake on offense and defense.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • Russian drones targeted roadside gas stations in Kyiv for a second straight day Friday, as Moscow broadened its air war in what Ukrainian officials say is an effort to rattle civilians.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Revenue surges Founded in 2018, Enflame is building AI processors as China looks to boost its efforts in model building amid major capability gains from domestic developers.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Jenny Lee,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • Oil prices edged higher Thursday as worries over escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies kept Brent crude above $100 a barrel.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That worsened inflation worries and cranked up pressure in the bond market, helping send stocks lower again on Wall Street.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry

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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headache. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headache

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