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Showing results for painful. Search instead for painful/2.
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 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

Compounding this painful apathy is the fact that state officials were made aware of the burial ground by at least the 1970s.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The resulting market strain has been painful for both investors and the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Stumbling on painful feet, they explored the cliff faces nearby.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.