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
Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Because the somewhat complex antitrust case is being tried before a 12-person jury, each party took pains to lay out the process, and provide visual explainers, about how an artist works with promoters and others to book a tour, and who profits.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
After a whole season exploring the pains of being an illegitimate child and fears of pregnancy, Sophie and Benedict are now free to have children that would be welcomed warmly into society.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But these are the standard-issue growing pains the NHL routinely beats into developing rosters.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
But after playing in the 2015 All-Star Game, Bosh was admitted to a Miami hospital after experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
The compact nature of the production, performed without intermission in just over 90 minutes, awkwardly exposes the melodrama that Ibsen took great pains to undercut.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
The Olympic organizers have gone to great and sometimes absurd pains to excise political messaging from the Games.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
The duo went to great pains to source pieces from the brands and collections Bessette Kennedy wore, including Prada coats and shoes and her favored Levi denim cut.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
That’s why civil servants in national security, disaster relief and federal science have long taken pains to avoid the political fray.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Because the somewhat complex antitrust case is being tried before a 12-person jury, each party took pains to lay out the process, and provide visual explainers, about how an artist works with promoters and others to book a tour, and who profits.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
After a whole season exploring the pains of being an illegitimate child and fears of pregnancy, Sophie and Benedict are now free to have children that would be welcomed warmly into society.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But these are the standard-issue growing pains the NHL routinely beats into developing rosters.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
But after playing in the 2015 All-Star Game, Bosh was admitted to a Miami hospital after experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
The compact nature of the production, performed without intermission in just over 90 minutes, awkwardly exposes the melodrama that Ibsen took great pains to undercut.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
The Olympic organizers have gone to great and sometimes absurd pains to excise political messaging from the Games.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
The duo went to great pains to source pieces from the brands and collections Bessette Kennedy wore, including Prada coats and shoes and her favored Levi denim cut.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
But regret pains them like a knot in their shoulders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pains
Noun
-
In Massachusetts, advocates are turning attention to an existing office in the state’s education department.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Besides Heldens and Carpenter, also attached is former Disney Channels Worldwide president/Disney Branded Television president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh, who departed that post in 2021 and turned his attention to producing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The addition of Crosby was supposed to be the piece to help lift the Ravens over the top, with the draft picks expected to be part of a rebuilding effort for the Raiders.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In an effort to allay whipsawing energy markets, Western powers are considering an International Energy Agency proposal for the largest-ever release of oil reserves.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Others include fever and head or body aches.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Patients can also experience fever, headaches and body aches.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Undocumented immigrants were among those gaining coverage, which provided access to regular doctor visits and preventative care .—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Sesame’s clinicians will also stay with the patient throughout any IMI RMA procedures to help translate medical terminology, provide emotional support, and offer any other care coordination needed.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kelly Clarkson Home Valentin Striped Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Powerloomed for durability, this low-pile rug works well both outdoors on a patio or indoors in high-traffic areas like mudrooms.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This requires an ability to navigate the ever-changing tech systems that store and distribute information (often in ways that are not at all intuitive) while also understanding the essentials of the actual work being done.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to the personal toll, playing overseas also hurts players professionally by limiting their ability to sign endorsement deals.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Advertisement Love Story, like so many Murphy projects, is too focused on revising historical narratives to care about crafting complex characters, much less about who its flattening hurts.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Confronted with the sudden increase in heat, your cardiovascular system is put to the test – blood vessels dilate, heart rate increases and blood gets pushed to your skin, where it can be cooled more easily by sweat.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hot stones are added, one by one, as the air inside gets heavier, the heat searing the nose and the throat, the sweat starting in rivulets that turn into streams as the smell gets more intense, the heartbeat swells, the mind races.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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