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 firm also acknowledged how a wrong-way bet on an expected decline or climb in SpaceX shares risks being painful for traders.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

But in Japan and South Korea he was able to rekindle flashes of brilliance, scoring eight times including twice in the final against Germany to banish the painful memories of Paris.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

The second is that however painful higher prices are for individuals, collectively the spending picture looks to be on firm ground.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“It’s a really painful time in the community,” said Jarrod Bernstein, a New York lawyer and former liaison to the Jewish community for President Obama.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

CBT stands for cognitive behavioral therapy, which sounds painful, but isn’t as awful as it sounds.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

painful

Example Sentences

Related Words