pain 1 of 2

noun

ˈpān How to pronounce pain (audio)
Definition of painnext
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

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2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind a sprained ankle caused him great pain for a week

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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

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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

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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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pain

2 of 2

verb

as in to ache
to feel or cause physical pain my poor head was paining so from all that racket

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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 pain
Noun
Tech neck is the term for neck and upper back pain caused by tilting your head forward to look at phones, laptops and other screens. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Anyone who has filled up at the pump in recent days has already felt the pain. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Verb
His disaffection baffles his acquaintances and pains his tubercular wife (a superb Quinn Jackson), whose doctor (Lambert Tamin) has only contempt for her husband’s agonizing. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 Today, mindful of the most recent wars, mindful of all the atrocities com-mitted, this happy fantasy has lost its charm, death has lost its innocence, pain its magnitude, irreversible. — Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pain
  1. ache
  2. distress
  3. care
  4. work
  5. nuisance
  6. hurt
  7. pang
  8. agony
Noun
  • The fever and the less intense strain often presents as a headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and fatigue.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • The non-opioid tablet can be used by adults and children aged 12 and ​older for temporary relief of headaches, back pain, muscle aches, toothache, menstrual cramps and minor pain from arthritis, the FDA said.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of ache
Noun
  • OpenAI has said its ChatGPT program is trained to recognize signs of emotional distress, de-escalate situations, and guide users to real-life support.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • The two men filed a lawsuit against Unity Medical Center alleging emotional distress caused by negligence and medical malpractice, claiming the facility robbed them of the lives they were meant to live.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • The Alzheimer’s Research Association also notes that experts at memory clinics or specialized care settings should administer the test and interpret results alongside other clinical information.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • No reasonable person would argue against providing animals with excellent medical care.
    — Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of care
Noun
  • According to research led by Robin Ely of Harvard University, leadership development involves deep identity work.
    — Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Wi-Fi was quite fast—backed by Starlink—and able to support Zoom calls and remote work.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • Kansas City is asking a judge to put control of a vacant former shopping mall that the city calls a nuisance into new hands.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • These tiny insects are a summertime nuisance that prey on people, pets, and wildlife, including birds, leaving behind an aggravating itch that can last for more than a week.
    — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026
Definition of nuisance
Verb
  • The change is also expected to hurt Nike’s brick-and-mortar partners in the region, which have expanded their online presence in recent years to grow their own businesses.
    — Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 22 July 2026
  • Smith looked bound for the big-league rotation before hurting his shoulder in June.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of hurt
Noun
  • Curtin admits to feeling a small pang when a guest drinks only water throughout the meal.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Yet for the drivers, the pangs of change were felt through the last race at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, and are anticipated again at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of pang
Noun
  • Beyond the torn tissue itself, internal bleeding and swelling can intensify the agony.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 22 July 2026
  • Negron shared her agony over losing her brother on social media.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
Definition of agony

Phrases Containing pain

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pained
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Cite this Entry

“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pain

Nglish: Translation of pain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pain

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