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more painful

ADJECTIVE

physically or mentally agonizing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agonizing arduous awful difficult dire distasteful distressing excruciating hard harrowing 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.

But the cocktail’s second ingredient, misoprostol, can be used to produce abortion on its own — a method that’s often more painful and slightly less effective.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

Their connection to Iran through friends and family is constant, making the ongoing conflict between Tehran and their host nation all the more painful.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder condemned the Los Angeles Lakers to one of the heaviest defeats in their history - one made more painful by an injury to star Luka Doncic.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

His Sunday show appearances have grown progressively more painful to watch.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Hot tears threatened, but my grumbling stomach was more painful.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson