headache

noun

ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
Definition of headachenext
1
as in job
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work filling out all the required forms was a real headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
something that is a source of irritation one of the headaches of being a band teacher is never knowing if the school's music program will be cut

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 headache Immediate consequences can develop quickly Heat strain may begin with fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness or nausea and progress to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. — Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 The most common side effects reported in at least 2% of participants across the two trials was headache, nausea and diarrhea. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Duquesne students are again navigating construction headaches as a major building project continues to reshape one of the university's busiest corridors. — Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 No sweating, throbbing headache and skin that’s hot, red and dry are signs of heatstroke. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headache
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headache
  1. job
  2. nuisance
  3. killer
  4. frustration
  5. burden
  6. thorn
  7. effort
  8. worry
Noun
  • It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Do artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT eliminate jobs, create new ones, or both?
    — Jeffrey C. Dixon, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • Earlier in August, A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to contribute $567 million to an abatement fund as part of a public nuisance case centering on child-safety allegations.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In March, a New Mexico jury and judge fined Meta over $900 million after the state’s attorney general argued that its platforms created a public nuisance.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • Furious, a thriller about a female FBI agent tracking a female serial killer loosely inspired by the 1987 movie Black Widow, was not the most obvious next step for her.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The biggest bear killers by far in Central Florida are motor vehicles, blamed for killing 1,545 bears in the region in the past 10 years, including 219 in 2025, the most since 2021 when 242 bears died on the region’s roadways.
    — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of killer
Noun
  • Acceptance moves you out of frustration and into a place of proactivity.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Troops in this area have sustained heavy casualties in battles with the regional Islamic State affiliate, and analysts and security sources say frustration with the government is mounting within frontline units.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • Federal guidance for public schools expressly recognizes that a teacher may excuse a student from class to relieve a significant burden on religious exercise, giving Muslim students who need to pray during Ramadan as one example.
    — Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has also tried to make Russian civilians feel the burden of war by hammering major online retailers and oil facilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of burden
Noun
  • Agoura’s versatile George Hastings will try to be a thorn for Westlake on offense and defense.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Lynx played without star Courtney Williams, a thorn in the side of the Valkyries the past two years.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • Solar attracted the most investment among renewable energy subsectors during the first six months of the year as countries rush to build capacity as worries grow that global wars will continue squeezing energy supplies.
    — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Research shows, however, that the public is always a little bit concerned about corruption, and that these worries often do not correspond with particular actions by politicians.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry

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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headache. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on headache

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headache

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