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Painful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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painful

[ˈpeɪnfʊl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

physical sensation

causing physical or emotional pain; distressing; agonizing

Synonyms

agonizing, distressing, unpleasant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
painful

Used to describe something that causes physical or emotional hurt.

  • The broken arm was extremely painful
  • It was a painful memory
agonizing

Used to describe something extremely painful, either physically or emotionally, often implying a prolonged or intense experience.

  • The wait for the biopsy results was agonizing
  • He went through an agonizing ordeal
distressing

Used to describe something that causes extreme worry, anxiety, or sorrow.

  • The news of the accident was distressing
  • She found the argument with her friend very distressing
unpleasant

Used to describe something not enjoyable or causing mild discomfort.

  • The room had an unpleasant smell
  • It was an unpleasant experience dealing with the rude customer

Examples of usage

  • The injury was very painful and required immediate medical attention.
  • The breakup was a painful experience for both of them.
Context #2 | Adjective

emotional feeling

involving emotional pain or distress; deeply upsetting

Synonyms

distressing, heartbreaking, upsetting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
painful

Used to describe something that causes physical or emotional pain.

  • The breakup was a painful experience for both of them.
  • His injury was extremely painful.
upsetting

Used when something causes minor emotional disturbance or annoyance.

  • The argument was very upsetting.
  • It was upsetting to lose the game in the last minute.
distressing

Used when something causes anxiety, sorrow, or pain, typically ongoing situations.

  • The news was very distressing for her.
  • It was distressing to see the suffering of the refugees.
heartbreaking

Used to describe something that causes deep emotional pain and sadness, often due to loss or disappointment.

  • The movie had a heartbreaking ending.
  • It was heartbreaking to hear about the tragedy.

Examples of usage

  • The memories of the event were still painful for him.
  • The decision to leave was a painful one for her.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'painful'

The word 'painful' originated from the Old French word 'painful' meaning full of sorrow or grief. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe something causing physical or emotional pain. Over the years, its usage has evolved to encompass a wide range of experiences that are distressing or agonizing.

See also: pain, painfully, painfulness, painkiller, painkillers, painstakingly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,212, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.