The phrase "pained expression" refers to a facial expression that shows someone is feeling hurt, distressed, or in physical or emotional discomfort.
Sentences with «pained expression»
However, if you ask most teaching colleagues and parents to share memories of learning about poetry, they recall, often with pained expressions, intensely studying a small number of poets in high school, where they had to analyze poems word by word. (edutopia.org)
The camera is continually poked into Lawther's pained expressions as he contorts his face under spooky red lights and the darkness of winding country lanes. (lwlies.com)
Playing a tightly wound, ambitious but thwarted doctor seemingly holding onto her sanity by only a few threads, Metcalf is a wonder of pained expressions and loaded delivery. (theatlantic.com)