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 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 |
3 |
[ adjective ] exceptionally bad or displeasing
Synonyms 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 |
4 |
[ adjective ] causing physical discomfort
Synonyms Examples "bites of black flies are more than irritating they can be very painful" Related terms |
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