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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.

It's also common for hormonal options to be prescribed to help with the symptoms of conditions like adenomyosis and endometriosis that can cause painful periods.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Tomatoes — one of Cuba’s most abundant seasonal crops — are a painful example.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

It’s just too painful to think about what was such an important part of my life taken away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

But the upper-income consumer is sitting on $15 trillion of home-equity gains, meaning gas-price moves are less painful.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

The doctor did not regard it as particularly dangerous or painful, reassuring Booth that he could treat the injury.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson