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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pains
John Burek, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz compounded the pains of militia attacks, forcing Iraq to declare force-majeure on foreign-run oil operations and curtail production.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Dipke also took pains to distance the movement from comparisons to violent Gen Z uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh, saying the CJP would maintain peaceful dissent within the bounds of the Constitution of India.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 May 2026
Gel foam gently contours the body to help ease aches and pains while the breathable, moisture-wicking cover helps maintain a more stable sleep temperature.
—V Brand Stories, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
They’re made with bubble insoles that gently massage your feet with every step, a cushioned deep heel cup, and an arch-supportive design to keep your feet free from aches and pains.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation, highlighting his walking tour of the bureau’s Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement.
—Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
After defense lawyers, prosecutors and Judge Curtis Farber convened in court to decide how to respond, Weinstein attorney Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was experiencing chest pains.
—ABC News, 14 May 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
Acer was also at pains to point out the large performance differential between the RTX 5070 Ti and the vanilla RTX 5070, which sounds similar.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz compounded the pains of militia attacks, forcing Iraq to declare force-majeure on foreign-run oil operations and curtail production.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
Dipke also took pains to distance the movement from comparisons to violent Gen Z uprisings in Nepal and Bangladesh, saying the CJP would maintain peaceful dissent within the bounds of the Constitution of India.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 May 2026
Gel foam gently contours the body to help ease aches and pains while the breathable, moisture-wicking cover helps maintain a more stable sleep temperature.
—V Brand Stories, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
They’re made with bubble insoles that gently massage your feet with every step, a cushioned deep heel cup, and an arch-supportive design to keep your feet free from aches and pains.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation, highlighting his walking tour of the bureau’s Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement.
—Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
After defense lawyers, prosecutors and Judge Curtis Farber convened in court to decide how to respond, Weinstein attorney Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was experiencing chest pains.
—ABC News, 14 May 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
-
If Muntadas’s work expands the spectacle of self-exploitation to its wider social implications, Lord’s chapter in Media Hostages, Future Language, redirects this attention to the uninterested spectators passing by the billboard on the road.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday reiterated warnings of a possible massive Russian strike and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort Lake George is widely recognized as one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the nation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The firing is sure to trigger even more scrutiny of CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss and her controversial efforts to overhaul the network news division.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Common symptoms include a fever, chills, fatigue, headache, body aches, chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and airway irritation.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
First symptoms often include extreme tiredness, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
30 May 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
Verb
-
Older dogs with arthritis often pant, and dogs with abdominal, chest or spinal pain may pant because normal breathing hurts.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
Twenty years later, the name of Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson still hurts to hear.—
Zohran Mamdani,
New York Times,
29 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
-
Day-to-day, sweat, humidity and friction are the routine wear-and-tear concerns.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, young founders are raising triple-digit millions without breaking a sweat.—
Richard Nieva,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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