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.
The season sees Wyle's Dr. Robby shoulder the brunt of responsibility as his ER endures a stressful day, capped off with a mass casualty event that sees resources stretched thin. Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025 Becoming the victim of a car theft is a stressful experience, but there are ways to deter theft and steps to follow if your vehicle is stolen. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025 But resisting a reversion to the baseline aggression when matches get stressful has remained a big challenge for Świątek. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025 The shelter environment is stressful so even just one day out helps. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 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 21 Jul. 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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