stressful

USAGE SUMMARY

"stressful" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is difficult or overwhelming due to a large amount of pressure or responsibility. For example: "The exam was quite stressful; I had to study for hours to pass it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A person might complain of being stressed and likewise blame it on their stressful job," says Simon Wessely of King's College, London.

The Economist

I rationalised it in so many ways over the years: it must be my fault somehow (no), illness (all tests proved negative), the stresses of a demanding job (though mine was infinitely more stressful than yours).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"As stress increases the activity of brain regions responsible for drug seeking and craving, stressful work is often 'addictive' in itself," says Wise. "This could be a self-perpetuating cycle – work causes stress, which renders people more prone to addictions to substances and work".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am finding it quite stressful at the moment," he said.

The Guardian

It's a collection of simple learning games for 2-5 year-olds helping them practise their sorting, attention and visual-motor coordination skills without stressful goals.

The Guardian - Tech

Buying presents is both rewarding and stressful, and that's why we love it.

The Guardian

For David Sexton of the RSPB, the man responsible for managing the complex relationship between people and eagles here, spring is a stressful time.

The Guardian

Cedric Bussac, a cyclist from France, fell foul of the regulations last autumn, despite going through the "stressful and inconvenient process" of registering with the migration police when he arrived.

The Guardian

It is obvious that in many ways life is extremely pressurised and stressful for university students today, but this is not just caused by the demands of academic life or the lack of support from universities.

The Guardian

He said: "It reads as a nightmare catalogue of serious safety breaches aboard and alongside these nuclear-armed submarines... Shortages of all types of crew on these submarines has been well-documented and the description of personnel in extremely stressful situations must be alarming given the huge responsibility some of these sailors are given.

The Guardian

Particularly significant to Nice's thought process is the suggestion that home births offer a more conducive, less stressful environment than a noisy hospital ward, where infection is often more difficult to contain and where stretched doctors are all too keen on epidurals and forceps.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations, use "stressful" to clearly indicate the presence of pressure, tension, and anxiety. Be specific about what makes the situation "stressful" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "stressful" as a generic descriptor for anything negative. Instead, provide context to show specifically how the situation causes stress, making your writing more informative and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stressful" is as a descriptive adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they cause stress. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in describing "stressful situations", "stressful work", and "stressful events". Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stressful" functions as a descriptive adjective, effectively conveying that a situation or activity induces stress and anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered a grammatically correct and commonly used term in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from describing a "stressful job" in The Economist to a "stressful situation" in The Guardian. While versatile, it's best practice to provide context when using "stressful" to maximize clarity and impact. By understanding its function and typical usage, writers can effectively communicate the burdensome nature of various experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressured

Highlights the feeling of being under pressure or stress.

overwhelming

Indicates a feeling of being unable to cope with the amount of pressure.

demanding

Focuses on the high level of effort or requirements involved.

taxing

Emphasizes the depletion of one's resources or energy.

trying

Suggests a test of patience and endurance.

challenging

Highlights the difficulty and the need for effort and skill, but can also imply a positive aspect of growth.

difficult

A general term for something not easy to deal with.

arduous

Emphasizes the steepness and difficulty of the task.

exasperating

Focuses on the frustration and irritation caused.

harrowing

Describes an experience that is acutely distressing and emotionally painful.

FAQs

How can I use "stressful" in a sentence?

"Stressful" is typically used to describe situations, events, or environments that cause stress or anxiety. For example, "The job interview was incredibly stressful", or "Dealing with traffic is a stressful part of my day".

What can I say instead of "stressful"?

You can use alternatives like "demanding", "taxing", or "challenging" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "stressful"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to describe a situation or experience as "stressful" if it causes stress or anxiety. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and commonly used word in written English.

What's the difference between "stressful" and "stressed"?

"Stressful" describes something that causes stress, while "stressed" describes the state of feeling stress. For example, "That meeting was stressful", meaning it caused stress, and "I am stressed", meaning I am feeling the effects of stress.