pained

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.

When I was in second grade, during a parent teacher conference, my teacher was pained to tell my mother that her son would never learn to read.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“It’s very frustrating,” Doncic said between Games 1 and 2, standing with his hands in his pockets, pained to report that he wasn’t close to returning, five weeks into his eight-week return-to-work timeline.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

As the memory of it washes back over you, “Omaha” lingers, like a devastating short story — devastating because it’s about a pained father for whom the road ahead only seems to get narrower.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

"Again?" he asks, the pained expression on his face reflecting the troubling news he's just heard.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Sookie’s brow folded into the center of his face and he looked pained.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen