1
as in sore
causing or feeling bodily pain
a very painful toothache her broken arm was too painful for her to go on the trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
it's been very painful to accept that my father is gone forever
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of painful
Land, a new novel by the Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell, showcases her genius for infusing painful stories with flashes of pure bliss, Hillary Kelly writes.
—
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Another outspoken star not afraid to be honest about the work she's had done, Kathy Griffin is also willing to be honest about the painful recovery as well.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Some stories are funny, some painful, some adventurous, some outrageous, and many are rooted in nature and place.
—Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
The law bearing Magnus' name is both an honor and a painful reminder for his family.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for painful
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Another outspoken star not afraid to be honest about the work she's had done, Kathy Griffin is also willing to be honest about the painful recovery as well.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Some stories are funny, some painful, some adventurous, some outrageous, and many are rooted in nature and place.
—Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
The law bearing Magnus' name is both an honor and a painful reminder for his family.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for painful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painful
Adjective
-
Mac Jones did not throw Wednesday because of a sore shoulder that checked out clean and should be ready for training camp, which is expected to open July 25 or 26.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
-
Sales have been a sore spot for Lululemon, but profitability has been an even larger challenge.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The flap has also brought harsh criticism from prominent people in Miami, including former Democratic congressman Joe Garcia.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Without excessive optimism, in a world that is becoming harsher, the Festival, on the contrary, is opening up and improving.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
-
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The immigrant-detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, deep in the Florida Everglades, stands out as a uniquely cruel publicity stunt with an absurdly high price tag, in which much of the money goes into just a few pockets.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
What Mary endures throughout Stappard’s debut is unquestionably torturous, but the writer/director never seems to take pleasure in orchestrating her or any other Māori characters’ suffering.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
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Many of the children didn’t survive the torturous experimentation, while others developed superpowers.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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That James left Northeast Ohio without ending Cleveland’s excruciating championship drought—the city hadn’t won a major pro sports title since 1964—added to the furor.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
For Tate’s accusers, the long wait had been excruciating.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Settling on Heise, Pannek and Rooney as the first three players to protect was agonizing, Caruso and Klee said.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2026
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Sarunya, here since 1999, is a familiar face to many, for sometimes agonizing but superlative reflexology.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
To be whole without the effort of stretching oneself out, without the exercise that leaves a bitter taste.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Kennedy’s efforts showed how bitter rivals could nevertheless work toward a common goal.—
Abigail R. Hall,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painful. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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