1
[ adjective ] causing physical or psychological pain

Examples

"worked with painful slowness"

Used in print

(The Rev. John A. O'Brien, "Let's Take Birth Control...)

That tumultuous , painful and costly experience shows clearly that a law expressing a moral judgment cannot be enforced when it has little correspondence with the general view of society .

(Charles Wharton Stork, "Verner von Heidenstam"...)

The hero , who is himself , is represented as a pilgrim in the storied lands of the East , a sort_of Faustus type , who , to quote from Professor_Bo ^ o ^ k again , `` even in the pleasure gardens of Sardanapalus can not cease from his painful search after the meaning of life .

(Vina Delmar, The Big Family....)

And in a sudden wave of painful clarity , Alexander recognized a kinship with Spencer .

2
[ adjective ] causing misery or pain or distress

Synonyms

sore afflictive

Examples

"it was a sore trial to him" "the painful process of growing up"

Used in print

(Tristram Coffin, Not to the Swift....)

No , they must look_the_other_way and climb one more painful step up the ladder .

Related terms

unpleasant

3
[ adjective ] exceptionally bad or displeasing

Examples

"atrocious taste" "abominable workmanship" "an awful voice" "dreadful manners" "a painful performance" "terrible handwriting" "an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room"

Related terms

bad

4
[ adjective ] causing physical discomfort

Synonyms

irritating

Examples

"bites of black flies are more than irritating they can be very painful"

Related terms

uncomfortable

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