headache

noun

ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
Definition of headachenext
1
as in job
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work filling out all the required forms was a real headache

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
something that is a source of irritation one of the headaches of being a band teacher is never knowing if the school's music program will be cut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 headache After six days, 57% of study participants who had VYD2311 injected into the muscle of their upper arm reported headaches, chills, fatigue or pain at the injection site — the typical side effects associated with vaccinations. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026 In Argentina, despite a burgeoning hydrocarbon sector, higher energy costs have renewed inflation concerns and created a headache for Milei, whose disapproval rating spiked to 63 percent in late April, up from 49 percent at the start of the year. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Extreme heat can cause symptoms like dizziness, nausea and headaches. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 Owner Ruben Granados Martinez said the restaurant outgrew its old spot on East Independence Boulevard and cited ongoing renovations at a neighboring business that made parking a headache. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headache
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headache
  1. job
  2. nuisance
  3. killer
  4. frustration
  5. burden
  6. thorn
  7. effort
  8. worry
Noun
  • Following the ruling, Benson drowns her sorrows over cocktails with Sharpe, and, in a revealing, impeccably acted scene, airs out her grievances about her job.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • For homeowners who have spent decades building equity, failing windows are more than a nuisance.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Legal experts on the other side question the notion that a public nuisance can be defined so broadly to include both the sale of a legal product and the impact on carbon pollution, much of it coming from China and India.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • In the days following the crime, her four children distributed hundreds of fliers throughout the area, asking for the public’s help in identifying their mother’s killer.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
  • By any objective measure, the Pan America is a capable, comfortable, raucous-sounding, brute-faced, mile-killer that attracts only the very finest heathens.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of killer
Noun
  • Players slapped each other’s helmets in frustration while angry voices carried from the sideline.
    — D’Joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rubin acknowledged the union’s frustrations in a response to the no-confidence vote, but said there were no funds available to increase overtime.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • This shortage is especially concerning given Arkansas' diabetes burden.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But prices edged lower Friday, after the Group of Seven nations announced the release of diesel and crude stocks to ease the burden on consumers.
    — Azhar Sukri,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of burden
Noun
  • The Parquet Courts frontman has launched the group Iconic Fugues with a two-pronged track that’s surely relatable to anyone who has a rose and a thorn of the past year.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The shrubs, ranging from deer brush to white thorn shrub, are incredibly good at resprouting, Young said.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • The euro sank to its lowest level against the dollar since May 2025 over Spain’s snap elections added to mounting fiscal and political worries across the region.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Such strong growth is what’s allowed stocks to rally near records despite a long list of worries and challenges.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry

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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headache. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on headache

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headache

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