stressful
/ˈstɹɛsfəl/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Irritating; causing stress.
Adjective
Examples
I have always argued that change becomes stressful and overwhelming only when you've lost any sense of the constancy of your life. You need firm ground to stand on. From there, you can deal with that change.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Mentally taxing.
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “stressful” mean?
Irritating; causing stress.
Is “stressful” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.