painful

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.

After more than 12 years in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces a painful reality check: His promise to modernize India’s economy hasn’t panned out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The singer said identity growing up was difficult and often suppressed, describing it as "incredibly painful" when it was not understood.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

But litigation and regulatory investigations are costly, and a lot of companies, corporate parents, make the decision that it is actually less painful to settle and to capitulate than it is to fight.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

Prosser told AFP she will attend the hearing and spoke of the excruciatingly painful three years since her son's death on March 30, 2023.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

It was painful, but it didn’t stop me.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola