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.
How painful this will be for Russia is something that experts and energy markets are still trying to decipher. Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025 Most patients have mild symptoms for seven to 10 days, which can include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister and a rash on the hands and feet, the CDC said. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025 In response to the concerns, one Ohio official told lawmakers considering the method that nitrogen gas executions may very well be painful, according to reporting by the Ohio Capital Journal. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025 Also, of course, I am handicapped by knowing that this couldn’t be printed in the foreseeable future, and by the fact that contemplation of this material has become painful. Literary Hub, 21 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 25 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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