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
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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
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Recent Examples of pains
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
The movie is, in part, about the labor pains of its creator, the screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Former President Biden took great pains to try and forgive student loans for college students, even though the cost to future taxpayers would be enormous and economically stunting.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
That left women artists who had taken pains with their lyrics and performances to feel trivialized and marginalized as their careers had just got off the ground.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The polarising billionaire had spent only a few hours in prison upon his return from 15 years of self-exile in August 2023 before he was hospitalised after complaining of heart trouble and chest pains, prompting widespread scepticism and public outrage.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
And the Zoned Lumbar Support offers focused support for your lower back, ensuring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on your lumbar region, helping to alleviate aches and pains.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The editorial takes pains to quote the school board, the board president and the Illinois Policy Institute, a right-wing and anti-labor organization, without any quotes from the association or its president.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Even Carroll wasn’t able to confront some of her biggest pains and problems.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2025
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
Yet, the new Terminal 1 has several stores that take great pains to include local flair.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
The movie is, in part, about the labor pains of its creator, the screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Former President Biden took great pains to try and forgive student loans for college students, even though the cost to future taxpayers would be enormous and economically stunting.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
That left women artists who had taken pains with their lyrics and performances to feel trivialized and marginalized as their careers had just got off the ground.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The polarising billionaire had spent only a few hours in prison upon his return from 15 years of self-exile in August 2023 before he was hospitalised after complaining of heart trouble and chest pains, prompting widespread scepticism and public outrage.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
And the Zoned Lumbar Support offers focused support for your lower back, ensuring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on your lumbar region, helping to alleviate aches and pains.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The editorial takes pains to quote the school board, the board president and the Illinois Policy Institute, a right-wing and anti-labor organization, without any quotes from the association or its president.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Even Carroll wasn’t able to confront some of her biggest pains and problems.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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 77th Annual Emmy Awards embraced nostalgia with attention to classics like The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls, it was once again dominated by streaming giants breaking records and reshaping the industry.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Engravings on the bullets caught the agents’ attention.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Jackie Young made 4-of-6 from the 3-point line as part of her efforts, finishing with 18 points, seven assists, and three steals, with Jewell Loyd (14 points) and Dana Evans (13 points) contributing well off the bench.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Symptoms are similar to the common flu, including fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, eye irritation and tiredness.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
My heart aches for Erika and their children.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That sets up a showdown over expiring Obamacare subsidies and other health-care funding priorities, with Democrats vowing to block any measure that ignores them and some moderate Republicans signaling openness to a deal to avoid steep premium hikes for millions of Americans.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of ad hoc testing, agree on consistent ways to show care (a daily check-in, a goodnight text, a weekly date).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the handle took a lot of work.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Norman's posts on social media, which primarily focused on community policing work, drew enough attention that in 2021 then-President Joe Biden awarded Norman and 15 others the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What hurts me doesn't necessarily hurt another person with the same loss.—
Heather Straughter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Negative, mean or even well-intended but poorly delivered feedback always hurts.—
Susanne Biro,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The leggings also feature three pockets and are made with sweat-wicking material.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This episode of Watch Party is brought to you by sweat, gold and tiger blood.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The exertion from trying to break free from the current causes fatigue as the current continues to pull them out, experts say.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Colby Rex O'Neill/AFP via Getty Images Young children and older adults were recommended to avoid excessive physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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