Meaning
Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English paynful, peinful, peynful, paynefull, peynefull, equivalent to pain + -ful. Compare Danish pinefuld (“painful”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
painlesspainfreeachelessagreeablepain-freepleasantunaching
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: