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.

Roos, the former options market maker, believes the latest leg higher for stocks could ultimately give way to a painful pullback as investors take profits and positioning shifts.

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

A painful tooth, or even one that simply feels unusual, could point to more than a dental problem.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

“For nearly a decade, Jessica Mann has fought for justice. Over the course of many weeks during three separate trials, she relived unthinkably painful experiences in front of complete strangers,” Bragg said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

In mid-April, shares snapped a painful eight-week losing streak.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

You figure it out and make changes no matter how painful those changes are.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

painful

Example Sentences

Related Words