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
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
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Serious, ongoing pain is rare and only happens for 1% to 2% of people who have a vasectomy, according to Mayo Clinic.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 May 2026
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
Noun
Whitlock, who slipped on a wet mound Sunday and hyperextended his left knee, tried to pitch through the pain but had an injection Wednesday.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Serious, ongoing pain is rare and only happens for 1% to 2% of people who have a vasectomy, according to Mayo Clinic.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 May 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
Noun
-
The loss of Joseph Ossai might sting a little, but the potential production from Maye and Lawrence should dull the ache.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Mpox, a viral illness formerly known as monkeypox, generally starts with flu-like symptoms – fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, headaches and backaches.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Jurors awarded Nancy Iskander another $35 million for serious emotional distress and $34 million to Zachary, the youngest brother, for emotional suffering.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The filing alleges Hubbard experienced gastrointestinal illness, sepsis, and other long-term complications, while the child reported nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distress.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
As courts weigh transgender military bans and states restrict gender-affirming care, some corporations retreat from sponsorship while local businesses step up to keep hometown Pride celebrations funded and visible.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Every detail is a quiet act of care.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
How does the pilot program work?—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Behavioral health companies in South Florida say they are being impacted by Medicaid termination letters, with facilities stating the cuts are harming patients who need help and leaving many therapists out of work.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Plaskolite was cited for causing a public nuisance, according to AQMD documents.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
When to See a Doctor For the vast majority of new parents, dry skin is a temporary, frustrating nuisance that resolves as your hormones stabilize and your body adjusts to its new rhythm.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The ship reported two explosions and a fire onboard, that was subsequently put out, UKMTO said, adding that no crew were hurt.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
According to Marcia, George was convinced he’d be laughed out of Hollywood because in the original script characters were running around and shooting at one another and nobody was getting hurt.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Down to the volatile sound design and pangs of romantic yearning, to say nothing of the first-person cinematography lensed by Dhont regular Frank van den Eeden, this movie follows Pierre’s every move from the inside out.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
Help keep your hunger pangs at bay while on a road trip or at the office with this multi-pack of trail mixes.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Tony was in agony and there was a lot of blood.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Jack Grealish had rolled on the floor in agony.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pain. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
