STRESSFUL Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

stressful

adjective

Definition of stressful

as in difficult

full of or causing stress; making you feel worried or anxious I had a stressful day at work today. a stressful situation

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of stressful Walsh says that building a capsule wardrobe each season can make shopping and planning outfits less stressful. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026 While returning to work can be a balm that boosts self-esteem and social support, the transition can also be stressful. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The Minnesota State Fair is just a week away, and one of the most stressful parts of the experience is figuring out how to get there. — Frankie McLister, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The change is already making Noah Bryan’s summer a little more stressful. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stressful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stressful

Adjective

The California Board of Pharmacy in 2025 reversed course on regulations that would have made the supplement more difficult to acquire after pushback from some firefighters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Striking out on her own was a difficult transition, but embracing her solitude gave her the space to learn more about herself and make her own personal decisions, such as getting her cat or making meals of her choosing.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

With men on first and third and nobody out that inning, second baseman Jackson Holliday fielded a tough grounder and threw to second, but shortstop Gunnar Henderson dropped the ball for an error and everyone was safe.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
As for footwear sales in the region, the second quarter saw a slowdown of sales of high-heat product, alongside tougher comparatives and ongoing softness in end-of-cycle footwear product lines.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Either way, a spot in the round of 32 would be a just reward for a team that is unbeaten two games into what has been an extremely trying tournament off the field.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
More than half of the search-and-rescue workers who show up for the most trying missions are BUSARs.

— Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of trying

Browse Nearby Words

stresses

stressful

stressing

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stressful. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stressful

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stressful

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes