ACHING Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

aching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-kiŋ

Definition of aching

as in sore

causing or feeling bodily pain my poor, aching back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weeping

expressing or suggesting mourning another one of those aching country songs about a woman who done him wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ache

as in hurting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 aching

Adjective

The dramatic and aching second movement, according to Egarr, may have been a love letter to one of Beethoven’s romantic interests. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026 And no matter what the ultimate tally, every individual is an aching, terrible loss. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

Neck aching after a day of scrolling, texting and staring at screens? — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 In a place whose people are forced to endure the same struggles as their parents (to paraphrase one of this film’s most aching laments), time will always be a flat circle. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aching

Adjective

So, naturally, the competition between the two states assumed fraught racial overtones, which is unfortunate but not surprising, given Democrats’ penchant for picking at sore spots and turning on each other at the slightest provocation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
When 39 days of elite physical punishment concluded with stadium lights dimming across North America, millions of fans limped away from watch parties with hoarse voices and sore feet.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.

— David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Verb

Inflation is still hurting many working families nationwide, but in metro areas like Seattle, the pain is even more acute.

— Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
In 1983, the NBA faced a far more daunting future than the NCAA does now, with revenue gaps endangering teams and unchecked free agency hurting the game’s image.

— Charles Grantham, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurting

Adjective

But for Tran’s family, the arrest revisited a painful, complicated chapter of their lives.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Many have called for empathy and compassion for the situation, while others struggle to reconcile calls for grace with Hilton’s history of profiting from celebrities’ most painful moments.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Since his siblings were crying with the same mournful expression, clinging to their father’s corpse, Shoichiro willed himself to cry too, and the tears came immediately.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
But there’s something mournful, something searching about his statement, too.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026

Definition of mournful

Adjective

Local photographers are heartbroken after a young eagle was hit and killed by a train in Beaver County earlier this month.

— Jessica Guay, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 July 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Verb

Symptoms can include arm or leg pain, numbness, weakness and tingling, and Mayo Clinic advises calling a doctor if pain in the neck or back spreads to an arm or leg.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
Pain, numbness or tingling that radiates from the neck or back into the arm or hand, the Mayo Clinic warning sign for a herniated disc affecting upper-extremity strength.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026