twinge
Sudden small pain
A twinge is a sudden, brief pain—physical or emotional.
A twinge in your back stops you mid-motion; a twinge of guilt hits when you remember forgetting someone's birthday.
The word suggests something sharp but fleeting, a momentary pang rather than sustained suffering: I felt a twinge of regret as I drove away.
Brief sharp sensation
- stabPierce with point
- achePersistent dull discomfort
- throbBeat with intensity
- shootingDischarging a weapon
prick · sting · spasm · soreness · smarting · gnawing · burning · tenderness
Involuntary muscle contraction
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- twitchInvoluntary muscular jerk
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
wince · quiver · tremor · flutter · start · reflex · contraction · jolt
Guilt for wrongdoing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- regretSorrow over past actions
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
self-reproach · prick · qualm · contrition · uneasiness · disquiet · misgiving · scruple
Tender sadness for absence
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- pangBrief sharp sensation
sentimentality · homesickness · reminiscence · bittersweet · hiraeth · ache · memory · recollection
Powerful urge to have
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- pangBrief sharp sensation
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- hungerNeed for nourishment
urge · itch · hankering · yen · wanting · wish · impulse · appetite
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
worry · dread · flutter · qualm · trepidation · disquiet · jitters · premonition
pang
Brief sharp sensation
shooting · prick · sting · spasm · soreness · smarting · gnawing · burning · tenderness · cramp
spasm
Involuntary muscle contraction
flinch · wince · quiver · tremor · flutter · start · reflex · contraction · jolt · shiver
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- regretSorrow over past actions
- shamePainful awareness of failure
compunction · self-reproach · prick · qualm · contrition · uneasiness · disquiet · misgiving · scruple · reproach
wistfulness
Tender sadness for absence
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
pang · sentimentality · homesickness · reminiscence · bittersweet · hiraeth · ache · memory · recollection · reverie
craving
Powerful urge to have
hunger · urge · itch · hankering · yen · wanting · wish · impulse · appetite · pull
apprehension
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
misgiving · worry · dread · flutter · qualm · trepidation · disquiet · jitters · premonition · doubt
twingecomfort
Ease or soothing relief
ease · relief · pleasure · soothing · painlessness
twingedelight
Intense pleasure or satisfaction
joy · contentment · satisfaction · warm glow · ease
twingeache
Persistent dull discomfort
throb · chronic pain · persistent ache · dull ache · persistent soreness