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
Relevance
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
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
Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
Prior to the tentative deal, the union had demanded to open talks with UC over how the university could help alleviate housing pains.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
After defense lawyers, prosecutors and Judge Curtis Farber convened in court to decide how to respond, Weinstein attorney Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was experiencing chest pains.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was having chest pains.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Upon being found guilty and having his bail revoked that February, he was taken to Bellevue complaining of high blood pressure, chest pains and palpitations.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Common symptoms people experience are headaches, muscle aches, serious fevers, coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath and nausea, according to Kaiser Permanente.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The pains and pleasures of family life are top of mind for her.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
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
Noun
Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that start with fever, aches, pains and fatigue before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, according to the public health agency.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
Prior to the tentative deal, the union had demanded to open talks with UC over how the university could help alleviate housing pains.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
After defense lawyers, prosecutors and Judge Curtis Farber convened in court to decide how to respond, Weinstein attorney Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was experiencing chest pains.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said court officers had told him Weinstein was having chest pains.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Upon being found guilty and having his bail revoked that February, he was taken to Bellevue complaining of high blood pressure, chest pains and palpitations.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Common symptoms people experience are headaches, muscle aches, serious fevers, coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath and nausea, according to Kaiser Permanente.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 7 May 2026
The pains and pleasures of family life are top of mind for her.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 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
-
Rather than focusing on the White House setting itself, White said his attention quickly turned toward how bugs could affect lighting, camera shots and the overall broadcast presentation during a live pay-per-view event.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
At full time, he was pushed forward by Will Hughes and Maxence Lacroix to take in the appreciation of the supporters, looking almost sheepish at the attention.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort The most impressive part of the property is its lush landscaping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Fox’s efforts to cater to a digitally savvy cohort to boost the fortunes of its news operations will no doubt be watched by other mainstream TV-news outlets.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and a rash.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
From the concierge who nimbly assisted me with dining and fitness class reservations to the kind dining staff, the friendly Miami team made sure I was always taken care of and was incredibly helpful at offering local recommendations and insight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
As a result, New Zealand's Health and Disability Commissioner has found that those responsible for the girl's welfare did not communicate effectively and also lacked culturally appropriate care.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The offense needs a lot of work, and Monken, who has 11 years of NFL offensive coaching experience (though never as a head coach), is tasked with fixing it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The new ranch comes with a coffee-drinking porch (mandatory), but it is weathered, rustic and needs work.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Losing Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Jamel Dean hurts, but the Bucs deserve the benefit of the doubt until someone else in this division proves something.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Truncating the final season so drastically definitely hurts the first half of the series finale, which feels chaotic and rushed.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
There was no carefulness in it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Sauna in Finland seems to be a whole event, not just a quick sweat.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Keep scrolling below for more pairs of comfortable summer travel pants, including cozy sweats and casual capri pants under $30.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
