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.

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

Listen to Yeat for the first time and you may end up bewildered, with a splitting headache and the nihilistic view that modern hit music as we know it is ruined.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2023

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

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

After a few minutes in the copy room with her, I have a splitting headache.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2022

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