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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pain
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Nacua lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium, not in physical pain but instead in mental anguish.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Not pain good enough to go and end her life.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
Noun
That’s important because neurons remember past stimulation, and pain sensitivity depends on history.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Nacua lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium, not in physical pain but instead in mental anguish.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
But following her pregnancy, Alvarez was pained by how much her symptoms were affecting her family.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Not pain good enough to go and end her life.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pain
Noun
-
Studies show that 50 percent of the global population is estimated to suffer from a Vitamin D insufficiency, and this time of year, the effects are even more obvious thanks to a lack of sun exposure—mood swings and fatigue set in, and general aches and pains can become worse.—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Their days are filled with doctor’s visits and pill bottles, aches and pains.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The plaintiff seeks damages for privacy invasion, emotional distress, reputational harm and alleged placement on government watch lists.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The initial wave of relief soon lifted, giving way to distress when Franco learned his home was uninhabitable.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the care and keeping of me?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Any infants experiencing symptoms should have their care provider contacted immediately.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
By 1996, Joe broke through in commercial work and got into television.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Actions define how Qira gets work done.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
-
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Critics say the practice has driven up home prices and hurt affordability, but some housing experts argue the president’s proposal would have minimal effect on overall housing supply.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As politicians in both parties warned that lawbreakers in the crowd would pay, Webster suppressed a pang of fear.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Even the most holiday-inclined have felt this pang at some point.—
Abigail Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The dramatic arc of the film’s first half — filled with the ecstasy of God’s embrace and the agony of imprisonment — is told through musical numbers, adapted from the Shakers’ ecstatic worship, dance, hymns, and music (watch the video above to learn more).—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
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One year before Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire published their compendium of Greek myths, Cicellis released her second work of fiction, The Way to Colonos, which ruthlessly dramatizes the limits of individual freedom and the agony of facing one’s powerlessness.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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