as in difficult
full of or causing stress; making you feel worried or anxious
I had a stressful day at work today. a stressful situation
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Recent Examples of stressful
Pregnancy and labor can be a stressful time for a cat, and being proactive in seeking care can ensure the best outcome for both her and her kittens.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Today’s setup, with competing priorities, leads directly to the problems passengers face every day: confusing signs, difficulty transferring between trains, schedules that don’t line up, and a generally stressful experience.
—Robert Previdi, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
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For people with food allergies, even a simple dinner out can become stressful.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
An emotional outburst during the moon’s clash with Mars adds stress to an already stressful situation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stressful
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Today’s setup, with competing priorities, leads directly to the problems passengers face every day: confusing signs, difficulty transferring between trains, schedules that don’t line up, and a generally stressful experience.
—Robert Previdi, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
For people with food allergies, even a simple dinner out can become stressful.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
An emotional outburst during the moon’s clash with Mars adds stress to an already stressful situation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stressful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stressful
Adjective
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The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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The transition can be extremely difficult for some.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Published in English, Tehelka had a small circulation but an outsized reputation for tough investigations.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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Jimmie Woods-Gray, a member of the city’s fire commission, said that cutting the Equity Bureau is a necessary step in a tough budget year.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There also is a rather sketchy guy named The Bear (Jon Bernthal), who owes Charlie for his help during one very trying time in his time at the agency.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
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This period in local history is arguably one of the most trying times for the people who lived in McLeod County and Minnesota as a whole.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stressful. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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