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.

While tarantulas can deliver a painful bite, they are not considered harmful to humans.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“I wanted to do a film about your country, but I wouldn’t watch it if I did. I couldn’t. It’s too painful and it’s like bad fiction.”

From Salon • May 22, 2026

For some, the wrong change can fail to help or even increase stress on the painful part of the knee.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Going back will be painful, he said, but he knows the community will endure.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

I think about every time that I’ve used Asase’s power—losing my temper, becoming frustrated, recalling painful memories.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

painful

Example Sentences

Related Words