afflictive
Bringing distress on
Afflictive means causing pain, suffering, or distress.
The word is formal and relatively rare, appearing mainly in religious, philosophical, or medical contexts: afflictive emotions like anger and jealousy, the afflictive nature of chronic illness.
Something afflictive burdens or torments rather than merely inconveniences.
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- throbBeat with intensity
- stingSharp wound from insect
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
tenderness · smarting · twinge · pang · spasm · cramp · burning · gnawing
Intense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
- woeGreat sorrow or distress
trauma · grief · heartache · despair · wretchedness · persecution · oppression · tribulation
Involving excessive difficulty
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- taxingRequiring great effort
- demandingRequiring great effort
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
laborious · exhausting · grueling · wearisome · strenuous · overwhelming · crushing · troublesome
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
discomfort · tenderness · smarting · twinge · pang · spasm · cramp · burning · gnawing · rawness
anguish
Intense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
woe · trauma · grief · heartache · despair · wretchedness · persecution · oppression · tribulation · ordeal
onerous
Involving excessive difficulty
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- taxingRequiring great effort
- demandingRequiring great effort
arduous · laborious · exhausting · grueling · wearisome · strenuous · overwhelming · crushing · troublesome · heavy
severe
Extremely harsh or strict
unsparing · punitive · ruthless · pitiless · relentless · inclement · bitter · biting · caustic · cutting
afflictivesoothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
comforting · painless · palliative · alleviating · relieving
afflictivehealing
Restoration of health
curative · remedial · therapeutic · restorative · medicinal
afflictivepleasant
Giving enjoyment or comfort
comfortable · agreeable · enjoyable · gratifying · delightful