stressful
Americanadjective
Usage
What does stressful mean? Stressful means full of stress or causing stress. It’s typically used to describe situations or experiences, such as stressful meetings, stressful trips, or a stressful day. In stressful, the word stress means mental or emotional strain or tension—that all-too-familiar feeling of anxiety, worry, and pressure. Things that are stressful cause people to feel stressed. Example: Trying to study for my math test while also babysitting my three little brothers was incredibly stressful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of stressful
Explanation
You might find taking tests stressful. Your hands get sweaty and you might get butterflies in your stomach. If something makes you anxious, it is stressful. Stress is how your body reacts to difficult situations. Driving through heavy city traffic can be very stressful, leaving you exhausted afterward. Some people react to stressful situations by eating too much, others by not eating, or by losing sleep. If you find something stressful, relaxation techniques like deep breathing and stretching can help your body release some of the tension and clear your brain. Then you won't be so stressed out!
Vocabulary lists containing stressful
Feed
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A First Time for Everything
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The Lions of Little Rock
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stressful as that sounds, to me, that’s not even the worst of it.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026
Stressful experiences can also affect the baby’s well-being.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025
Stressful scenarios such as exercise and sickness are a perfect time to consider an electrolyte replacement drink.
From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025
“It’s pretty surreal, everything. But the match was really intense, a lot of ups and downs. Stressful moments and coming back,” said Swiatek, now 4-0 in major finals.
From Washington Times • Jun. 10, 2023
Stressful circumstance can level the conventions with amazing swiftness.
From The Paternoster Ruby by Walk, Charles Edmonds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
