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
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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
Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
In contrast, targeting NTR1 activates a particular signaling protein and blocks pain.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
But the record is far less gothic than its predecessor, less obviously pained.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pain
Noun
Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images The monthslong war in Iran is inflicting economic pain across the country as many Americans report struggling with higher costs, particularly the record rise in gas prices.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
In contrast, targeting NTR1 activates a particular signaling protein and blocks pain.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Verb
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
But the record is far less gothic than its predecessor, less obviously pained.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pain
Noun
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Other early-onset symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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After throwing through discomfort last season — the aches in Rodón’s elbow actually dated back years — his arm is now in a much more comfortable place.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Interfering with a fawn is discouraged; observe from a distance and contact wildlife professionals only if the fawn shows signs of injury, distress, or the mother's prolonged absence.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
There is tap-dancing, a wall that resembles the night sky, a prop headband that resembles a Plumbob, and the discovery that every actor onstage can imitate the animation a Sim does while in distress.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
It’s rooted in the principle of taking care of what’s provided to us — and using it thoughtfully to make people’s lives better.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Emory University confirmed in a statement that its Serious Communicable Diseases Unit is overseeing the two individuals' care.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The offense needs a lot of work, and Monken, who has 11 years of NFL offensive coaching experience (though never as a head coach), is tasked with fixing it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The new ranch comes with a coffee-drinking porch (mandatory), but it is weathered, rustic and needs work.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
For a league still trying to grow its footprint, treating media availability like a nuisance is a curious growth strategy.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
The second phase of the proceedings, known as a juryless bench trial, will establish over a three-week period if Meta’s actions created a public nuisance, thus warranting potential product changes.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
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But second-year point guard Carla Leite, who had hurt her ankle earlier in the evening, blew by Jones in isolation to tie the score 96-96 with 27 seconds to play.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Qi Wang Chief Investment Officer (Wealth Management) Additionally, Taiwan and Korea are large energy importers, meaning higher oil prices from Middle East tensions could hurt their purchasing power and international competitiveness, even as AI demand boosts exports.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
At a recent sleepover, my 15-year-old son and his 14-year-old friend Charlie, driven by a pang of nostalgia, chose to watch the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on YouTube.—
Luba Kassova,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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What Brooks proffers is not the philosophy these queries require but a kind of pharmacology—a pill designed to alleviate every last pang.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hidden is the agony of parents mourning the loss of their babies.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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This multi-generational story explores the beauty, agony, and hilarity of loving other people deeply.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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