painful

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Referring to physical anguish]

Syn. 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 .

Ant. healthy*, comfortable, well.

2. [Referring to mental anguish]

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

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.

hurtful, agonizing, excruciating, torturous, sore, smarting, distressing, tender, aching, stinging, biting, searing, sharp, uncomfortable, unpleasant, disagreeable, difficult, grievous, trying.

ANT.: comfortable, delightful, enjoyable

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective 1. Marked by, causing, or experiencing physical pain: aching, achy, afflictive, hurtful, nagging, smarting, sore. See PAIN. 2. Difficult to accept: bitter, distasteful, indigestible, unpalatable. See LIKE.