1
as in ache
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the child was crying because of a pain in her knee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
a sprained ankle caused him great pain for a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in care
pains plural
strict attentiveness to what one is doing
asked the movers to take pains to be sure that they didn't damage anything while moving the furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in work
pains plural
the active use of energy in producing a result
she was at pains to reassure us that everything would be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
sometimes that child, who apparently never tires of asking questions, can be such a pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pain
Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
As someone who has also been a lifelong animal lover, this pains me.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
Noun
Labor leader Cesar Chavez, who attributed his own chronic back pain to the tool, also urged Jourdane to take the case.
—Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Verb
His estranged relationship with his mother pains him, and his constant traveling suggests a restlessness at his core.
—Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
As someone who has also been a lifelong animal lover, this pains me.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pain
Noun
-
Many people with babesiosis don’t feel sick or have symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some may experience flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills, sweating, body aches, appetite loss, nausea or fatigue.—
Natalie Jones,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
-
Symptoms include persistent fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, brain fog, shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping, per the Virginia Department of Health.—
Tess DeMeyer,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The organization provides up to eight free mental health and counseling sessions to youth and their families who have experienced gun violence, abuse or emotional distress.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
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Noumea’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre notified Carnival Splendor about a distress call from a catamaran while the ship was traveling south of New Caledonia on Thursday, according to a news release.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Enhancing patient services: The university will increase its community presence through a growing network of NSU Health clinics, allowing for more student training with hands-on patient care.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
-
Prior to joining the billion-dollar body care and fragrance brand, Paik held the role at Impossible Foods and Juul Labs, respectively.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
For somebody just graduating from college, entry-level work is the name of the game.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to step into the spotlight, especially in your work or daily routines.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
And these types of messages go beyond being a mere nuisance.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
24 May 2025
-
In 2011, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by a group of states (including California) against a number of power companies, claiming that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel generated electricity were a public nuisance under federal law.—
Josiah Neeley,
Oc Register,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
While the brand quickly became synonymous with the 1990s UK music scene—having Liam Gallagher sport them on-stage certainly didn’t hurt—the aughts saw the business’s fortunes recede and its manufacturing go overseas.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
2 June 2025
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ISPs have frequently pointed out that terminating customer accounts would hurt people using the same account as someone accused of piracy.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
And yet the extent of the common language for emotional and physical pain is itself remarkable: crushing sadness, pangs of guilt, wrenching news, the need for something to kill the pain.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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And just as suddenly as that dream was about to begin, the pang in Carr’s gut was growing more undeniable.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Barking in agony, the fox scratches and claws in any attempt to free itself and get to safety.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
28 May 2025
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Michaela calmly explains that Jocelyn got botched plastic surgery that’s kept her in private agony for the last decade.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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