1 ADJ-GRADED [oft ADJ to-infinitive] 疼痛的 If a part of your body is painful, it hurts because it is injured or because there is something wrong with it. 疼痛的
SYN sore, hurting, smarting, aching
2 ADJ-GRADED （病、伤、手术等）令人疼痛的，引起疼痛的 If something such as an illness, injury, or operation is painful, it causes you a lot of physical pain. （病、伤、手术等）令人疼痛的，引起疼痛的
3 ADJ-GRADED [oft ADJ to-infinitive] （情形、记忆或经历）痛苦的，难受的，恼人的 Situations, memories, or experiences that are painful are difficult and unpleasant to deal with, and often make you feel sad and upset. （情形、记忆或经历）痛苦的，难受的，恼人的
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Remarks like that brought back painful memories.
那样的话勾起了痛苦的回忆。
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...the painful transition to democracy.
向民主的艰难转变
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She finds it too painful to return there without him.
她觉得没有他的陪伴回到那里实在叫人难受。
4 ADJ-GRADED [oft ADJ to-infinitive] （表演或采访）令人难堪的 If a performance or interview is painful, it is so bad that it makes you feel embarrassed for the people taking part in it. （表演或采访）令人难堪的 [informal]
SYN terrible [informal] , awful, dreadful, dire
| Word Partnership | Use painful with: |
| ADV. | extremely painful, less/more painful, often painful, sometimes painful, too painful, very painful 1 2 3 4 |
| N. | painful experience, painful feelings, painful lesson, painful memory, painful process 3 |
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