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
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Daley, who turns 84 on Friday, and was the longest-serving mayor in Chicago history, also was hospitalized while in office in 2000, after suffering chest pains and hypertension.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
But the silver lining is that these are the short-term pains of building a stronger company, and earnings estimates probably won’t change much after tonight.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Other viral illnesses can have very similar symptoms, including more severe throat pains.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Gibson cited increasingly severe stomach pains and diarrhea across several days as her family's symptoms.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher, the Dodgers’ general manager and manager, took great pains to protect Robinson, but protecting him from all of the vitriol was an impossibility.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Grandmother explains how each plant helps humans ease aches and pains, as well as offering good foods like honey from the bees that drink from plants.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
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
Iran’s political leadership has been at pains to dispel reports of infighting and to project a unified approach to the country’s military objectives and negotiating strategy.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Daley, who turns 84 on Friday, and was the longest-serving mayor in Chicago history, also was hospitalized while in office in 2000, after suffering chest pains and hypertension.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
But the silver lining is that these are the short-term pains of building a stronger company, and earnings estimates probably won’t change much after tonight.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Other viral illnesses can have very similar symptoms, including more severe throat pains.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Gibson cited increasingly severe stomach pains and diarrhea across several days as her family's symptoms.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher, the Dodgers’ general manager and manager, took great pains to protect Robinson, but protecting him from all of the vitriol was an impossibility.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Grandmother explains how each plant helps humans ease aches and pains, as well as offering good foods like honey from the bees that drink from plants.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
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Companies are required, under threat of criminal penalties, to bring new information to the government’s attention.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Lawyers who represent Silicon Valley’s biggest AI firms are paying attention.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, including cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.—
Carly Sauvageau,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Babesiosis, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, can cause flu-like symptoms — fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches — and can be severe or fatal in older adults or those with weakened immune systems, according to scientists.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Detroit failed to take care of the ball when the Magic scored 23 points off 20 takeaways.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Older adults tend to begin treatment within a month of symptoms starting — but young adults face an average seven-month delay before getting care.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Full Moon moves through your 10th House of Visibility, bringing attention to your role, direction, and how others see your work.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Dameron’s work has appeared in Kweli Journal, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Rumpus, and elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yes, DiVincenzo’s absence hurts Minnesota’s prospects of making a deep playoff push.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Inflation hurts on so many levels.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Opt for something like the Brovave Sleeveless Collar Striped Midi Dress to take you from morning coffee to late-night meals without a single sweat.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
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Knowing what mosquitoes are attracted to — heat, breath, sweat, dark clothing, scented skin — is the first step toward becoming forgettable.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pains. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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