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Definitions

ache

[eyk] / eɪk /


VERB
feeling soreness or dull pain, often physical
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Now, I ache a little when I think about those refusals.

From Salon Aug. 31, 2026

"It's tough work... the hardest part is carrying the seaweed back. It's very heavy and your shoulders ache afterwards."

From Barron's Jun. 30, 2026

She presents her daughter’s sudden death in crisp, often tart prose that cannot mask the ache that lurks beneath the surface.

From The Wall Street Journal May 8, 2026

"We cannot grieve; we can only ache and wonder. Our focus is solely on finding her and bringing her home."

From BBC Mar. 22, 2026

No wonder my legs are already starting to ache and my lungs are burning.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

However, around one in five people who are infected develop a fever and moderate symptoms such as body aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 2026

Freeman did not undergo any imaging on his various aches and pains, although he said head athletic trainer Thomas Albert asked if he felt like he needed any.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 13, 2026

These include repeatedly waking up throughout the night to relieve himself and "stomach aches real bad".

From BBC Jul. 24, 2026

Less common symptoms are vomiting, body aches and low-grade fever.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 17, 2026

Malcolm struggled to sit up a bit higher, and found that although his headache had receded, a number of other aches, all over his body, had come out to claim his attention.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

She wrote that her heart ached most looking at a poster her three children made when they were young.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

Before Edward and Bella took over the world, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” viewers ached for David Boreanaz’s Angel and James Marsters’ Spike, centuries-old bros who fall for a very special high school blonde.

From Salon Jun. 13, 2026

Another exam taker, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said he was exhausted and his head ached after experiencing multiple glitches Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 28, 2025

"My heart ached, and I could only pray: 'God, please don't let that happen.'"

From BBC Jan. 14, 2025

There were mosquito bites on his forearms that ached to be itched.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Showing her aching vulnerability, it's about a bank clerk with flaming locks of auburn hair who flirted with her husband.

From BBC Aug. 25, 2026

The morning after losing to Federer, an aching Willis limped to the shower at 4:30am to get ready for an interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

From BBC Jul. 1, 2026

It seemed like the set was closing with “In the Dark,” an aching ballad from their Venturing side project, plainly declaring “I still dream of us” through a fog of effects.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 19, 2026

My feet were still aching when I boarded my flight home the next day.

From Slate Jun. 5, 2026

He took a dipper of water from an oaken pail, drinking deeply, then splashing the remains over his aching head.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques




Vocabulary lists containing ache


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