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

Example Sentences

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 Using a blackhead removal tool should never be painful, so use light pressure and push the clogged pore upward, Paul explains. Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Feb. 2023 The ransoms, even small ones, are painful in a country where more than 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. Elian Peltier, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2023 Rueck told of a situation in 2015, when Oregon State sustained a painful loss to Gonzaga at home during the second round of the NCAA Tournament. oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023 This is a painful loss for anyone who loves the guitar, especially since his final years proved that Verlaine never lost a stroke as as a virtuoso, right up to the end. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2023 Several big brands dealt with a glut of merchandise in late 2022, forcing them to launch holiday sales early or grapple with painful losses. Diti Kohli, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2023 The attack is meant to reassure the Russian people as its troops suffer painful battlefield losses, according to Ukraine’s leader. Bloomberg.com, 3 Jan. 2023 Using tape can also lead to painful loss of facial hair or damage soft tissue around the mouth. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 28 Dec. 2022 After a painful loss, Michael is left reeling and unsure of how to move forward. Mariette Williams, Essence, 27 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'painful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Dictionary Entries Near painful

Cite this Entry

“Painful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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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