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

Amalia Ulman’s 2025 film Magic Farm, about an American team’s desperation to manufacture a viral trend in rural Argentina, is minor cringe for its pleasurable skewering of the attention economy.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
No one was standing over my shoulder telling me to pay it special attention, but I was mesmerized.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of attention

Noun

The president talked up Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins as part of the White House effort to boost GOP enthusiasm in the upcoming elections.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Verb

The majority of patients don't have symptoms, but about one in five will experience symptoms two to six days after being bitten, including fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting or a rash.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of aches

Noun

While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The foundation has also supported Dell Children’s Medical Center, which opened in 2007, and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute, helping expand access to specialized children’s care and medical research in the region.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of care

Noun

Chisell, who previously worked at Amazon, eBay and Starling Bank, estimates that Paysend can now deliver around 25% more engineering work with the same-sized team, but argues that getting results isn’t as simple as handing everyone the latest tech.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Making the show work within Keery’s schedule was a challenge.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of work

Verb

Losing the ability to fly fast drones, by contrast, hurts Ukraine right now—and hands Russia an immediate advantage in the skies.

— Steven John, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Washington is coming off a brutal tie against the Giants (a game that somehow had even worse coaching) and, yes, the overtime hurts.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurts

Noun

Sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, and product buildup can accumulate over time, which is why effective cleansing is an essential part of the scalp’s wellbeing.

— Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
The outerwear, pants, shorts, sweats and T-shirts are created from high-end materials but designed to be classic and quiet.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026