stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or tending to induce stress
stressfully adverb

Examples of stressful in a Sentence

I had a stressful day at work today.
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.
Their role includes quickly responding to followers’ comments and managing communities, as well as handling trolls, all of which is stressful. Kelley Cours Anderson, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025 Choosing the right wine to pair with your Thanksgiving meal can be as stressful as cooking the turkey. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 Kurt's key takeaways Receiving one of these fake invoices can be stressful, but remember that many people get the same message every day. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025 Run Your Own Race Milestones, though a helpful barometer of development, can be one of the most stressful challenges in early childhood. Hannah Silverman, Parents, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stressful

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stressful was in 1846

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Cite this Entry

“Stressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressful. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

stressful

adjective
stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or tending to cause stress
stressfully adverb

Medical Definition

stressful

adjective
stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or subject to stress
stressful situations
stressfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stressful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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