painful synonyms

painful

modif.

  1. Referring to physical anguish

    sore, raw, aching, throbbing, burning, torturing, hurtful, biting, piercing, sharp, severe, caustic, tormenting, smarting, extreme, grievous, griping, stinging, lacerating, bruised, sensitive, tender, irritated, irritable, vexatious, distressing, agonizing, excruciating, torturous, grievous, inflamed, burned, unpleasant, ulcerated, abscessed, uncomfortable; see also sore.

    Antonyms healthy*, comfortable*, well. *

  2. Referring to mental anguish

    unpleasant, distasteful, grievous, worrying, depressing, saddening; see also disturbing.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.