painful

adjective

pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl How to pronounce painful (audio)
painfuller ˈpān-fə-lər How to pronounce painful (audio) ; painfullest
Synonyms of painfulnext
1
a
: feeling or giving pain
a painful injury
b
: irksome, annoying
2
: requiring effort or exertion
a long painful trip
3
archaic : careful, diligent
painfully
ˈpān-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce painful (audio)
adverb
painfulness
ˈpān-fəl-nəs How to pronounce painful (audio)
noun

Synonyms of painful

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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.
Some things are too painful for words, and Crystal knows that sense cannot be made from senselessness. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Nearly eight months of war in Iran have produced one of the most severe energy shocks in decades, exposing a sharp divide between the countries that absorbed it with surprising ease and those forced into painful tradeoffs. — Dr. Sarah Kapnick, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Even without a financial crisis, though, there could be a painful reckoning. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 Kristin Cavallari is reflecting on a painful lesson after lending her father a quarter of a million dollars. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing painful

Rhymes for painful

See All Rhymes for painful

Browse Nearby Words

pained
painful
painful to the touch
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Cite this Entry

“Painful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painful. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

painful

adjective
pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl How to pronounce painful (audio)
: feeling or giving pain
painfully
-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce painful (audio)
adverb
painfulness
-fəl-nəs How to pronounce painful (audio)
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
-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce painful (audio)
adverb
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