pained

American  

[peynd] / peɪnd /

adjective

1. hurt; injured.

2. showing or expressing distress, anguish, or resentment.

   a pained look in reply to a sarcastic remark.

---

pained British  

/ peɪnd /

adjective

1. having or expressing pain or distress, esp mental or emotional distress

   a pained expression

---

Other Word Forms

• overpained adjective
• unpained adjective

Etymology

Origin of pained

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; pain, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Kurlender said it pained him to see hundreds of thousands of south Lebanese displaced from their villages just minutes away, but thought that Israel's military offensive was necessary.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

But since the pits closed almost four decades ago, residents describe a slow and pained decline as people struggled to get well-paid, stable employment.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

In the Sierra, where resorts have been pained by warm weather and a snow drought so far this season, it was far from clear whether there would be enough cold air to lower snow levels.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

She said she is pained by the persistent kidnappings.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

So, he was quite surprised when the boat pulled violently, the motion matched with a pained cry.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

• anguished
• distressed
• troubled