Definition of painful

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  • painful is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 12
  • painful is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 12
  • painful is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 16

Definition of painful

  • causing physical discomfort (adjective)

    Examples

    1. bites of black flies are more than irritating; they can be very painful

    Synonyms

    1. irritating
  • causing misery or pain or distress (adjective)

    Examples

    1. the painful process of growing up

    Synonyms

    1. afflictive
    2. sore
  • exceptionally bad or displeasing (adjective)

    Examples

    1. a painful performance

    Synonyms

    1. abominable
    2. atrocious
    3. awful
    4. dreadful
    5. terrible
    6. unspeakable
  • causing physical or psychological pain (adjective)

    Examples

    1. worked with painful slowness

See definition of painful in Merriam Webster