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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pains
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Those in their fifties and beyond require the same amount of sleep as younger adults—and may actually benefit from sleeping more to offset nightly wake-ups from aches and pains, medication side effects, or dealing with the need to urinate more frequently in the middle of the night.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
Players like fellow edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and right tackle Francis Mauigoa make up that group that went through the pains in the early seasons to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Even the least superstitious Singaporeans take pains to insure their investments against supernatural disturbance.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Almost all big transactions this year took great pains to hide buyers’ identities, with deeds hidden behind limited liability companies and top real estate agents asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Merry Christmas, no matter how sharp the birth pains.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2025
Global growth hasn’t come without its pains.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
But while pains de garde can be eaten all week long, baguettes go stale quickly, leading to significant waste in French households.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Those in their fifties and beyond require the same amount of sleep as younger adults—and may actually benefit from sleeping more to offset nightly wake-ups from aches and pains, medication side effects, or dealing with the need to urinate more frequently in the middle of the night.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
Players like fellow edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and right tackle Francis Mauigoa make up that group that went through the pains in the early seasons to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Even the least superstitious Singaporeans take pains to insure their investments against supernatural disturbance.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Almost all big transactions this year took great pains to hide buyers’ identities, with deeds hidden behind limited liability companies and top real estate agents asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Merry Christmas, no matter how sharp the birth pains.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2025
Global growth hasn’t come without its pains.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
But while pains de garde can be eaten all week long, baguettes go stale quickly, leading to significant waste in French households.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
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
-
The bill passed in June without media attention, while bombs were dropping on Iran.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Her defensive effort led to a transition 3-pointer for Maddie Scherr that electrified the home crowd for TCU.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
There is currently no information about the containment efforts for the fire and its cause has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Super flu virus symptoms The subclade K variant of flu A causes similar symptoms to other strains, including high fever, severe body aches, extreme fatigue, persistent cough, sore throat and intense headaches.—
Lori Comstock,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
My heart aches for you and for your beautiful little girls.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the care and keeping of me?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Any infants experiencing symptoms should have their care provider contacted immediately.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
By 1996, Joe broke through in commercial work and got into television.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Actions define how Qira gets work done.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In seismic papers, Borjas’s research described the drawbacks of immigration, including his oft-cited, though much-disputed, findings that the arrival of lower-skilled immigrants hurts American workers who compete for jobs, especially poor people and African Americans.—
Lauren Kaori Gurley,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That one still hurts a little bit.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The All Aligned Ribbed Long-sleeve Henley Dress is made from a soft, ribbed Nulu fabric that’s sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and equipped with plenty of stretch to keep you comfortable on the road and at home.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Especially with two new blockers on the outside, as left tackle Jordan Seaton watched the game in sweats while wearing a walking boot on his right ankle.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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