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.

The receivership touched off a painful community journey that brought on job reductions, layoffs and school closures as enrollment sharply declined.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

That’s still painful, but it’s not in the same league.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026

David and Ally had always wanted children but after Ally went through several painful miscarriages, they decided to adopt.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

Chris Tinen, a customer in St. Louis, Mo., said AI-driven cuts to insurance agents’ compensation were a painful necessity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

I’d felt like a complete jerk, especially since I knew what it was to walk in those particularly painful shoes.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

painful

Example Sentences

Related Words