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.
Based on Devantez’s award-winning 2020 short film of the same name, which was a SXSW official selection and won Best Comedy at the HollyShorts Film Festival, Basic follows Gloria (Park) and Nick (Smith), who go through a painful breakup. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 Palvin was diagnosed with the condition – which involved tissue growing on the outside of the uterus, sometimes causing painful periods and infertility – earlier this year. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 After more than three years of painful recovery and an eight-day jury trial, six bystanders wounded during a 2022 police shooting in downtown Denver are hoping for some relief. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025 Then bit my own lips hard until the painful lump went away. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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