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.

He urged the people of both countries not to allow themselves to be robbed of hope despite the violence, political instability, exploitation and poverty that he said had pained them for so long.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2022

There was a hernia that had pained him for years; with help from Sodenkamp, he got surgery.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2022

It had pained the Bruins to go on the road and face California, one of the most liberal universities in the country, and see a throng of fans as part of a discrepancy in policies.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2022

All his fellow scribes, in full-throttle writers’ block, had pained expressions on their faces, trying to summon up the words to describe this most historic of Masters.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 6, 2020

Even Dad and Mother had pained expressions on their faces as they chewed.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix