be 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.

Expecting to have tests she feared could be painful and invasive, she said she was pleasantly surprised to see the hospital trialling a new test called WID-easy, which was similar to a smear test.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

If a bill would be painful but manageable, paying out of pocket may be the savvier move in the long run.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

“That is the honest answer and that’s going to be painful and difficult. But we’ll get it done,” Musk said on the earnings call.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

A ban on sports prediction markets could be painful for U.S. prediction market Kalshi.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

There was practically no risk involved, unlike here, where all the answers seem to be painful ones.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak