Synonyms

splitting headache

American

[split-ing hed-eyk] / ˈsplɪt ɪŋ ˈhɛdˌeɪk /

noun

a severe pain felt in the head; an extremely bad headache.

A few days into the low-carb diet I started to get a splitting headache.
Unless you want a splitting headache, do not listen to the first track on the album.

Etymology

Origin of splitting headache

First recorded in 1810–20

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:

splitting headache

Sometimes I play a scene with a splitting headache and people don't even know, but I know, so that makes some sense.

From Salon ● Dec. 20, 2024

Both complained of a splitting headache and fever that didn’t respond to the anti-malaria treatment.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 9, 2023

There was no warning of what was to come in March 2015, other than the splitting headache she woke up with.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2022

Right as it starts getting close to being really good … I suddenly get a splitting headache.

From Slate ● May 24, 2021

Was also developing a splitting headache, anxious about Julie, and wondering why they didn’t just set the dratted plane on fire and get it over with.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023