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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
In a customer incident, the report may document any pain, dizziness, head impact, reduced movement, or other symptoms observed or reported after the fall, whether or not a medical diagnosis has been made. — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 His attorney’s office says he was interrogated without pain medication, while the Department of Homeland Security has released few details about what prompted the shooting. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
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 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 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
  • Beyond common cold symptoms like a cough, sore throat and runny nose, people sick with COVID-19 often have body aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and/or smell.
    — Ann Sheehan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages, Rojas and others will still be playing through aches and pains by the time October rolls around.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of ache
Noun
  • In February 2025, a group of Yosemite employees hung an American flag upside down – a symbolic distress call – in response to the staffing cuts.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • However, a Los Angeles judge ruled in April that one intentional infliction of emotional distress claim could proceed, according to court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • Greening-tolerant trees do need good care with frequent feedings, minor nutrient sprays and insect control to remain as disease-free as possible.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The lack of a real-time conversation means many patients aren’t getting the type of care recommended by medical societies that prescribe GLP-1s, including discussions about weight-loss goals, past efforts and eating disorders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of care
Noun
  • Yet he was accused of failing to do his work as recently as November, detained in a neighboring village over rainfall that disrupted an important ceremony.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The top is varied enough in design enough to wear with jeans, a skirt, or your favorite work trousers.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of work
Noun
  • The pest has also become a nuisance for residents in communities near mushroom farms.
    — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Oliver played a massive snap share and did a lot of little things to help free up his teammates, while continuing to be a nuisance in one-on-ones.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Verb
  • His frequent, sweeping cross-field balls to right wing-back Daniel Munoz helped Forest find space in which to hurt their opponents.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • One staffer at a top AI company told CNN the fears of how AI could hurt humanity keeps them up at night.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurt
Noun
  • Agarwal is, like a lot of teenagers, feeling the pangs of a life less traveled, IRL.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Statements by government lawyers that contradict the official White House line are not merely the results of pangs of conscience.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of pang
Noun
  • There are few harsher agonies than waiting, and throughout the great expanse of the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, two riders felt that in very different ways.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But for Roma, the agony for his missing son did not end that day.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pain

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