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
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
The jabbing pains were sometimes followed by vomiting, leading Bryant to brush it off as food poisoning or possibly irritable bowel syndrome.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Before the hip operation, the former dancer noticed aches and pains but no other symptoms aside from lingering fatigue and sleeping more than usual.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The 36-year-old has dealt with lower-body aches and pains throughout his Yankees tenure, and the tennis elbows that forced him to miss the first few months of the 2025 season still require maintenance.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
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
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
The jabbing pains were sometimes followed by vomiting, leading Bryant to brush it off as food poisoning or possibly irritable bowel syndrome.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Before the hip operation, the former dancer noticed aches and pains but no other symptoms aside from lingering fatigue and sleeping more than usual.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The 36-year-old has dealt with lower-body aches and pains throughout his Yankees tenure, and the tennis elbows that forced him to miss the first few months of the 2025 season still require maintenance.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 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
But regret pains them like a knot in their shoulders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pains
Noun
-
As the Moon moves into Capricorn this afternoon, attention shifts toward what works, what needs structure, and what can hold up over time.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
-
False alarms present a challenge, which can be costly in terms of time and attention, said Patrick Roberts, a senior researcher with the nonprofit research group Rand who recently finished a project on accelerating innovation in wildfire management.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hantavirus symptoms Symptoms typically begin two to three weeks after infection, and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Early symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the most common infection in the United States, include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders, the CDC said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
And on Monday, the ship operator said two crew members — one British, one Dutch — had acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe but both requiring urgent medical care.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
The data tells us that millions of families cannot afford the cost of care.—
Franklyn Baker,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Another issue, Nikpay said, is that some pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers charge healthcare providers large fees for this 340B work, which can reduce the provider’s savings on those drug prices.—
Dené K. Dryden,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
In the video, published in 2024 and noted in the lawsuit, James references the original sketch work for Neytiri.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
And that’s why this one hurts differently.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
That ultimately hurts workers, small businesses, and the broader economy.—
Steve Hilton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 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 9 May. 2026.
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