stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or tending to induce stress

stressfully

ˈstres-fə-lē 

adverb

Examples of stressful in a Sentence

I had a stressful day at work today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rogen, too, has suffered stressful openings – witness the reception to American Pickle, about a Jewish factory worker who crossed the ocean from Europe stuck in a vat. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026

After being named as one of the best places to move to and start over, Boise was recently named one of the least stressful cities in the nation. — Hali Smith july 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Meeting your own needs Travel can be stressful, and people have their own ways of handling those challenges. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 July 2026

During check-ins, therapists suggest asking what’s working, what feels stressful, whether responsibilities need to shift and whether the couple is still making time for the relationship itself. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stressful

• distressful
• successful
• unsuccessful

Kids Definition

stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or tending to cause stress

stressfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl 

: full of or subject to stress

stressful situations

stressfully

-fə-lē 

adverb