stressful

adjective

stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or tending to induce stress
stressfully adverb

Examples of stressful in a Sentence

I had a stressful day at work today.
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.
Amanda Chatel 20% Off an Exclusive TurboTax Discount Code for March 2025 Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. Molly Higgins, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2025 Renovations of any kind in the home can be stressful. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 That will mean a longer daily commute for their family, too, which may be stressful for Colin, who has Noonan syndrome, a disorder affecting growth, physical appearance, muscle tone and learning. Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025 Not having sufficient money to pay the rent, buy food, pay for health care, is certainly stressful. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stressful

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stressful was in 1846

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressful. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

stressful

adjective
stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or tending to cause stress
stressfully adverb

Medical Definition

stressful

adjective
stress·​ful ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce stressful (audio)
: full of or subject to stress
stressful situations
stressfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stressful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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