ACHES Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

aches 1 of 2

noun

plural of ache

as in pains

a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body a dull pounding ache in his head

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aches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ache

as in hurts

to feel or cause physical pain my feet ache from all that walking

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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 aches

Noun

Building balance and strength in a few key areas of the body may help ease common aches. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 Still playing through the aches accumulated over thousands of innings spent in a crouched position. — Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026 However, around one in five people who are infected develop a fever and moderate symptoms such as body aches, vomiting and diarrhea. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Experts say West Nile virus symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, rash and fatigue, though most people who are infected have no symptoms. — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Arenado said he's used to the normal aches and pains at this stage of his career, especially when playing the day after a night game. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Symptoms typically develop between two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and coughing. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 Menthol especially has a cooling effect, which could ease the tension that results in migraines or muscle aches. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The arnica in this gel can help treat sore muscles, aches, swelling, or other pains that are bothering you, too. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

About one out of five people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, or rash. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 When a sick child should stay home Hoying recommends keeping kids home when illness includes fever, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026 Common symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, rash, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Of those infected, 80% do not experience symptoms, but one in five develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache or body aches. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, rash, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 Symptoms include headaches, fever and body aches, Surasi said, but can progress to vomiting and neurological issues in serious cases. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 After a long day on the mountain, steal away to the soaking tub in one of the guest bathrooms to melt your stress (and muscle aches) away. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026 While most infected people are asymptomatic, some may experience fever, headaches and body aches, and less than 1% develop severe illness that may result in hospitalization or death. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aches

Noun

In cases that are considered to be too severe — such as when a pregnant woman at the center began experiencing labor pains — those individuals are airlifted to a nearby hospital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
California has taken pains to eliminate coal as a source of electricity, and this would be the first coal export terminal in California — or anywhere on the West Coast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pains

Verb

Sure, the latter hurts the stats, but Daniels loved being able to close out the victory.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026
Yet YouTube has told creators cross-posting on its platform and Netflix hurts viewership on YouTube and conveys the idea that channels are deprioritizing the streaming platform as their primary distribution outlet.

— Lucas Shaw, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurts

Noun

Statements by government lawyers that contradict the official White House line are not merely the results of pangs of conscience.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Yet for the drivers, the pangs of change were felt through the last race at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, and are anticipated again at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 15 July 2026