English adjective: painful | |||
1. | painful causing physical or psychological pain | ||
Samples | Worked with painful slowness. | ||
Similar | aching, achy, agonised, agonising, agonized, agonizing, biting, bitter, chafed, excruciating, galled, harrowing, itchy, poignant, racking, raw, saddle-sore, sensitive, sore, tender, torturesome, torturing, torturous, traumatic, wrenching | ||
See also | harmful, inhumane | ||
Antonyms | painless | ||
2. | painful causing misery or pain or distress | ||
Samples | It was a sore trial to him. The painful process of growing up. | ||
Synonyms | afflictive, sore | ||
Similar | unpleasant | ||
Antonyms | pleasant | ||
3. | painful exceptionally bad or displeasing | ||
Samples | Atrocious taste. Abominable workmanship. An awful voice. Dreadful manners. A painful performance. Terrible handwriting. An unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room. | ||
Synonyms | abominable, atrocious, awful, dreadful, terrible, unspeakable | ||
Similar | bad | ||
Antonyms | good | ||
4. | painful causing physical discomfort | ||
Samples | Bites of black flies are more than irritating; they can be very painful. | ||
Synonyms | irritating | ||
Similar | uncomfortable | ||
Antonyms | comfortable, comfy | ||