stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or tending to induce stress

stressfully

ˈstres-fə-lē 

adverb

Examples of stressful in a Sentence

I had a stressful day at work today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Owners are also becoming more aware of how stressful conventional grooming can be for dogs. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Owners are also recognizing how stressful the traditional salon pattern is for many dogs. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

When buses move faster, commutes become shorter and less stressful. — Mike Flynn, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

The summer is still young, but travelers have already dealt with the seasonal one-two-three punch of extreme weather, schedule disruptions and stressful flights. — Natalie B. Compton, Washington Post, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stressful

• distressful
• successful
• unsuccessful

Kids Definition

stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or tending to cause stress

stressfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or subject to stress

stressful situations

stressfully

-fə-lē 

adverb