[
UK
/pˈeɪnfəl/
]
[ US /ˈpeɪnfəɫ/ ]
[ US /ˈpeɪnfəɫ/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
causing physical or psychological pain
worked with painful slowness -
exceptionally bad or displeasing
abominable workmanship
a painful performance
an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
terrible handwriting
dreadful manners
an awful voice
atrocious taste -
causing physical discomfort
bites of black flies are more than irritating; they can be very painful -
causing misery or pain or distress
the painful process of growing up
it was a sore trial to him
How To Use painful In A Sentence
- This causes verrucas to grow back into the skin, which can be painful.
- He recalls that, in the painful heat of the moment, he was ‘the first to miscall the parentage’ of the future Scotland manager.
- A painful red stroke appeared on her chest as the sword grazed her skin.
- This can be particularly painful when it comes to big audio-visual systems and "smart" home automation systems that control everything from radiant floors and humidity to light dimmers and pool temperatures. Cutting Edge Today, Passé Tomorrow
- Hesher (Director: Spencer Susser; Screenwriters: Spencer Susser and David Michod; Story by Brian Charles Frank) — A mysterious, anarchical trickster descends on the lives of a family struggling to deal with a painful loss. Sundance 2010 Competition Lineup Arrives, And Here Are Some Highlights » MTV Movies Blog
- They described ‘torture techniques’ and claimed that detainees had been forced into painful positions for 18 to 24 hours at a time or left to foul themselves.
- People may bury painful childhood memories to protect themselves.
- Lawrence survived a devastating accident at work with months of painful recovery in the hospital and at home.
- The supporting stories have a much sharper bite, including a return to his painfully confessional autobiographical style.
- Examine the painful area carefully in an effort to localize the most tender point.
