painful

adjective

pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl How to pronounce painful (audio)
painfuller ˈpān-fə-lər How to pronounce painful (audio) ; painfullest
1
a
: feeling or giving pain
a painful injury
2
: requiring effort or exertion
a long painful trip
3
archaic : careful, diligent
painfully adverb
painfulness noun

Examples of painful in a Sentence

I got a painful sunburn. We can't ignore our country's painful history of slavery. His questions brought up a lot of painful memories. It was painful to watch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin. Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025 Once Schaefer’s emotional moment was done, the rest of the conversations ranged from mildly awkward to borderline painful. Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 28 June 2025 In 2010, revenues reached nearly $18 billion but fell to $7.2 billion in 2023, then took another painful 8.4% dip to $6.6 billion in fiscal 2024 ending Feb. 1, 2025, according to financial statements filed with the SEC. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 The resulting merger creates an 11.5 million sub machine and €250M of synergies are now incoming over the next three years, which could get painful. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for painful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of painful was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Painful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painful. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

painful

adjective
pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl How to pronounce painful (audio)
: feeling or giving pain
painfully adverb
painfulness noun

Medical Definition

painful

adjective
pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl How to pronounce painful (audio)
painfuller -fə-lər How to pronounce painful (audio) ; painfullest
: feeling or giving pain
painfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on painful

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