Definitions

painful

[peyn-fuhl] / ˈpeɪn fəl /

ADJECTIVE

physically or mentally agonizing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agonizing arduous awful difficult dire distasteful distressing excruciating hard harrowing heart-wrenching hurtful severe tedious terrible troublesome uncomfortable unpleasant

WEAK

aching afflictive biting burning caustic disagreeable dreadful extreme extremely bad grievous hurting inflamed irritated laborious piercing raw saddening sensitive sharp smarting sore stinging tender throbbing tormenting trying vexatious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calm easy facile friendly good great helpful mild nice pleasant pleasing simple wonderful

WEAK

delightful painless

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.

Painful as that is, we really shouldn’t be surprised.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

Appeared in the December 5, 2025, print edition as 'A Painful Bond Off-Broadway'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Painful enough without knowing the early morning alarm call will have come with the jet-lag feeling of a pummelling and late-night home journey from Leicester.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2024

The second story, “The Long and Painful Death,” chronicles a female writer whose residency at the home of Heinrich Böll is soured by the arrival of a male academic.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2023

Painful though it was to hear the accusations repeated, Kira realized with awe the value of the repetition.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry

painful

Example Sentences

Related Words