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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A First Time for Everything
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Lions of Little Rock
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"It's stressful enough for my own mental health but I think it could make my dad ill."
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Goin says they hope to provide some hope for those affected "during the most stressful time of their lives".
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
The vast majority of accused parents will be vindicated, but only after a stressful, unjustified process.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
“It’s been a bit stressful ... I think the education would be super beneficial.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
If you’re going to be a dispatcher anywhere in the world, Spruce Harbor is probably the least stressful place imaginable.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
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.
