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
Within a week, the man went to an emergency department with shallow breathing, a fast heart rate, chest pain and a dry cough. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 The fingerprints of ’90s vocalists breathing love and pain into every note on the track resonated with listeners both inside and outside of the genre. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
This one pains me as a Roth-era Van Halen fan, but there is no denying the band found incredible radio success with new frontman Sammy Hagar in the fold. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026 Trigeminovascular System Activation Initiates Headache Pain The initiation of cortical spreading depression, which is linked to an aura, also activates the trigeminovascular system, a network of nerves and blood vessels in your head that senses pain and sends signals to your brain. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 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
  • Soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • People who get sick typically develop a sudden high fever along with a pounding headache, pain behind the eyes and deep aches in the muscles, joints and bones.
    — Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of ache
Noun
  • However, as some researchers have pointed out, the available studies didn’t assess whether emotions are actually regulated through the chatbot, and therefore conflate distress relief with attachment.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement made through Carey, the Mayich family said Bales should be looking into why the workout was allowed and why it wasn't stopped when players were in visible distress with no water or rest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • Perinatal palliative care is an important and compassionate option.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The other was identified by REACH as Brad Sparks, a flight nurse who is still receiving medical care.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of care
Noun
  • Designed for ranch work and rugged driving, the Terra pickup features green paint, 37-inch tires on 18-inch wheels, heavy-duty side steps, a front bull bar, a roof basket with lights, and expanded cargo-bed storage.
    — Chase Jordan October 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But early mornings and after-work hours tend to be the busiest times.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • For homeowners who have spent decades building equity, failing windows are more than a nuisance.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Legal experts on the other side question the notion that a public nuisance can be defined so broadly to include both the sale of a legal product and the impact on carbon pollution, much of it coming from China and India.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Verb
  • The autistic girl had stopped hurting herself by banging her head on the floor when she was frustrated.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • But his legacy was also marred by the discovery of his elaborate shielding of his wealth from taxes through shell companies, which experts say may have hurt the growth of his nation.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurt
Noun
  • But as time often does, the two started having pangs of nostalgia and wondered about their unfinished business.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Every now and then, in the early hours of the morning, Kumar sits in the stillness to watch the fishermen return with their catch and feels a pang of longing.
    — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pang
Noun
  • When John reveals the Halogram to Kerry (after fair warning), the look on her face is a mix of shock and agony.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Burns, 28, dropped to the ground in agony on his 25th snap of the Giants’ narrow 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of agony

Phrases Containing pain

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pails
pain
pained
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Cite this Entry

“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pain

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