pain point

noun

plural pain points

: a persistent or recurring problem (as with a product or service) that frequently inconveniences or annoys customers

When you're in an established market, you have an established customer; their needs and pain points are clearly laid out on your competitors' review sites.

—Billy Polson

Customer service, which has been a pain point of bigger banks for years, is also improving in that it's getting faster and requires little from you.

—Chris Welch

broadly : something that is a recurring source of trouble, annoyance, or distress

One generation's parenting gospel often becomes another's pain point.

—Lynda Lin Grigsby

Meanwhile, ironing is a pain point with her boyfriend because she loves the look of a crisply pressed men's shirt. "He never irons his shirts and it drives me crazy," she [Elyse Moody] says.

—Jura Konicus

Examples of pain point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Cowboys' defense has been a pain point in 2025, but the team showcased some huge grit in their win against the Las Vegas Raiders. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

DwarfLab's book-sized smart telescopes have removed many pain points over the years, but the company has gone lightweight as well as compact and portable for its latest design. —New Atlas, 21 Nov. 2025

Still, haircuts in particular remain a pain point for many curly-haired consumers. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Common pain points when applying foundation to mature skin include product creasing and buildup in fine lines, visible or exaggerated texture, and stiff, drying finishes. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pain point

• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint