ACHING (FOR) Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

aching (for)

verb

Definition of aching (for)

present participle of ache (for)

as in feeling (for)

to have sympathy for I ache for those people who have to spend the holidays alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in craving

to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy aching for some quiet time to himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aching (for)

Verb

There is nothing pitying and also nothing airbrushed in the pictures—just the occasional haze of a misty morning or the blurry tremor of a burning brush pile.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Twenty-first-century indie shaped the identities of many Millennials, but it’s now often talked about with pitying nostalgia—as the bygone style of hipsters with handlebar mustaches pretending to be countercultural while making easy-listening music for hotel lobbies.

— Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025

Definition of pitying

Verb

The discomfort often has less to do with craving a drink and more to do with how deeply drinking is woven into adult social life.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
These individuals may use more marijuana than intended, spend substantial time obtaining or craving it and continue to use it despite physical and psychological problems.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of craving

Verb

The news about Guimaraes wanting to leave was followed almost immediately by Johan Manzambi, Newcastle’s top target across all positions, opting for Aston Villa at the final moment.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
As his memories begin to fade, he's left in a panic, not wanting to lose everything.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of wanting

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.

Browse Nearby Words

aching

aching (for)

achingly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Aching (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aching%20%28for%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of aching (for)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes