1
as in attention
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in effort
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
as in aches
to feel or cause physical pain
my poor head was paining so from all that racket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pains
Noe Padilla, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The pains and pleasures of family life are top of mind for her.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Screenwriter Jeremy Slater takes pains to pay homage to the games as much as possible, featuring so many throwaway references that the aficionados at the press screening were screaming with delight.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Even when artists go to great pains to distinguish their art, many audiences simply want to believe all rap music and rap artists were doing and saying the same things.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Feerick took pains to explain that Section 4 is not designed to be a tool used by an opposition party to remove a President.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The results came so fast that the normal MLS growing pains — the ugly nights, the roster strain, the tactical doubt, the emotional drag of losing — seemed to skip San Diego entirely.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Jerry began to have severe stomach pains and cramps.
—Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
During the event, Kelly was bitten by a tick, and would go on to face an array of symptoms, including a sore throat and stomach pains.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 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
But regret pains them like a knot in their shoulders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
Common symptoms people experience are headaches, muscle aches, serious fevers, coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath and nausea, according to Kaiser Permanente.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The pains and pleasures of family life are top of mind for her.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Screenwriter Jeremy Slater takes pains to pay homage to the games as much as possible, featuring so many throwaway references that the aficionados at the press screening were screaming with delight.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Even when artists go to great pains to distinguish their art, many audiences simply want to believe all rap music and rap artists were doing and saying the same things.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Feerick took pains to explain that Section 4 is not designed to be a tool used by an opposition party to remove a President.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The results came so fast that the normal MLS growing pains — the ugly nights, the roster strain, the tactical doubt, the emotional drag of losing — seemed to skip San Diego entirely.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Jerry began to have severe stomach pains and cramps.
—Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
During the event, Kelly was bitten by a tick, and would go on to face an array of symptoms, including a sore throat and stomach pains.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 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
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
But regret pains them like a knot in their shoulders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pains
Noun
-
The Park Hyatt Beijing welcomes many business travelers, and the easy-access power and latest USB outlets show the renovation’s attention to detail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Tonight the Aries Moon shifts attention toward home, roots, and what supports you privately.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Bahamian authorities assisted with rescue efforts, but did not deploy anyone to the scene, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) told CBS News.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
That first strike came courtesy of Catherine Dubois, a versatile depth forward, who was moved onto Montreal’s top line beside Poulin and Laura Stacey in an effort to spread out the team’s offense.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In many ways, Kris aches to be reduced to such simple matter, to strip away all of her heady anxiety and surrender to basic want.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
Early symptoms can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
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
Verb
-
This isn’t a contract that hurts the Jets’ cap flexibility now or in the future since there is no money guaranteed beyond the second year.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
But 24 goes too far, dilutes the field and hurts the regular season.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
There was no carefulness in it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, that lap turned into eleven more years of touring, sweat, new music, and reconnecting with the fans who made this all possible in the first place.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
-
For shoppers who want the calming effect of deep pressure stimulation but tend to overheat, these three options are designed to deliver the pressure without the sweat.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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