PAINS Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

pains 1 of 2

noun

plural of pain

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

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

pains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pain

as in aches

to feel or cause physical pain my poor head was paining so from all that racket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pains

Noun

In the past, Fox News has taken pains to illustrate to its viewers how the election could tilt blue. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 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 Imagine a patient entering a hospital with severe headaches and chest pains. — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 After all, as Steinbeck’s novels are pains to remind us, appearances are poor evidence of character anyway. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 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 The new Brad Pitt vehicle, directed by David Ayer, takes pains to start with a scene that exists only to make this clear. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 Joint and muscle pains are all too common for women in midlife. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2026 Those economic pains could also affect the five tax and bond issue referendums on the fall ballot. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

This one pains me as a Roth-era Van Halen fan, but there is no denying the band found incredible radio success with new frontman Sammy Hagar in the fold. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026 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

While the Blue Demon induces perceptual disorientation, the Rooster privileges visual attention and the architectural discipline of gaze.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
But while Antetokounmpo gets most of the attention as the Heat’s new star, Adebayo will again be relied on to be the team’s leader.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of attention

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

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

Definition of aches

Noun

Designed for ranch work and rugged driving, the Terra pickup features green paint, 37-inch tires on 18-inch wheels, heavy-duty side steps, a front bull bar, a roof basket with lights, and expanded cargo-bed storage.

— Chase Jordan October 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
But early mornings and after-work hours tend to be the busiest times.

— TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of work

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

But Haslem was dripping sweat after the Heat’s training camp practices this week at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
New Atlas recently covered an experimental smart ring developed at UC San Diego that goes beyond optical sensing entirely, analysing sweat for biomarkers including glucose and ketones.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026