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

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

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

A Father Christmas figure is pictured looking pained in the water at the foot of a rock.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

Judging from his pained expression, Percy decided he didn’t want to be in that elevator if the car stalled between Tartarus and the mortal world.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan