painless

adjective

pain·​less ˈpān-ləs How to pronounce painless (audio)
1
: not causing or accompanied by physical pain : not painful
a painless skin growth
painless medical procedures
… the medical exam may include an electrocardiogram, or EKG. This noninvasive test is a painless procedure that measures your heart's activity.Sarah Shelton
The relatively painless injections are intended to provide temporary relief for arthritic pain and stiffness.Larry Katzenstein
2
: not difficult : not causing or involving complications or emotional distress
There's an easy way to apply for federal aid in the form of grants and student loans: Just fill out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's a fairly painless process, and you can even do it online.Maurie Backman
a quick and painless solution
painlessly adverb
painlessness noun

Examples of painless in a Sentence

getting paid to watch and review movies seems like a painless way to earn a living
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the Dodgers are about October, and getting there may not be painless with Jack Dreyer making one fewer start than Glasnow, and twice as many as Snell. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 Other details: Capsule endoscopy is painless and does not require sedation, but preparation is similar to that for a colonoscopy. Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 Although both the procedure and the recovery period are typically very quick and painless, some mild discomfort and healing time are to be expected. Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025 Our divorce was relatively painless, but the custody battle was prolonged, and most of my savings were drained in the process. Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for painless

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of painless was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Painless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painless. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

painless

adjective
pain·​less ˈpān-ləs How to pronounce painless (audio)
1
: not experiencing pain
2
: not causing pain : not accompanied by pain : not painful
painless surgery
painlessly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on painless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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