ACHES Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

aches 1 of 2

noun

plural of ache

as in pains

a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body a dull pounding ache in his head

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aches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ache

as in hurts

to feel or cause physical pain my feet ache from all that walking

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of aches

Noun

Symptoms usually begin within two weeks and can last nearly three weeks, including aches and pains, nausea and rashes. — Angie Dimichele, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 Soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 People who get sick typically develop a sudden high fever along with a pounding headache, pain behind the eyes and deep aches in the muscles, joints and bones. — Andrés Henao, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 Beyond common cold symptoms like a cough, sore throat and runny nose, people sick with COVID-19 often have body aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and/or smell. — Ann Sheehan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages, Rojas and others will still be playing through aches and pains by the time October rolls around. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Roughly 5% of people infected develop symptoms including fever, headaches, body aches, nausea and vomiting. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The team, in conversation with Ohtani, failed to manage his workload and aches and pains in a way that would be sustainable for more of the year. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Many infected people don’t get sick, but some experience fever, flu-like symptoms and — notoriously — aches. — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Symptoms can include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 Most people who are infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms or have a mild illness that may include a fever, headache and body aches, according to health officials. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 The camera still lingers, the music still aches, but the urgency is gone. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Most people infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache, and body aches, health officials said. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 West Nile symptoms A full 80% of those infected may not show symptoms, but 20% have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or fatigue. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 Common side effects for flu and COVID-19 vaccines are mild and temporary, such as sore arms, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and mild fever. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aches

Noun

With exceptional performances from the entire cast and homages to musical legends like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, Bioh and White present a reflection of the Black female experience in all of its dazzling idiosyncrasies, triumphs and pains.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Some people spend hundreds on first-class upgrades to feel better, but a pair of lightweight compression socks can prevent a lot of the pains that come with long travel days—even if you’re stuck in economy.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of pains

Verb

If a mistake is expensive and hard to reverse, slow down, because that is exactly where AI speed hurts you most.

— Andrew Siemer, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
There are larger forces at work, the stuff that hurts people who hurt people, and portraying that hurt (and its goal, escape) with understanding – not to say excuse-making – takes uncommon talent.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hurts

Noun

Dining in the lounge is available all day to cater to international hunger pangs that don’t follow the same schedule as those of Spaniards.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
But as time often does, the two started having pangs of nostalgia and wondered about their unfinished business.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 29 Sep. 2026