as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
painfully she recounted the difficult relationship she had with her mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of painfully
Eastwood and Fitzgerald are barely in the movie long enough to register, Williams’ 30-something mom lacks any actual spirit, and Franco’s painfully earnest single dad can’t decide whether to keep his glasses on and off.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Every New York Yankees fan is painfully aware of the rough season starting shortstop Anthony Volpe had in Year 3 as a big-leaguer.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
But in fact, Ragtime is painfully connected to the present moment.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
The cases—some going back six years—have been painfully slow in working their way through the courts.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The cases — some going back six years — have been painfully slow in working their way through the courts.
—Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
That’s especially true, painfully so, for recent college graduates.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s another high hurdle, because the ACA credits split Republicans painfully.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For much of the season, the Mariners’ offense looked painfully thin.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Every New York Yankees fan is painfully aware of the rough season starting shortstop Anthony Volpe had in Year 3 as a big-leaguer.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
But in fact, Ragtime is painfully connected to the present moment.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
The cases—some going back six years—have been painfully slow in working their way through the courts.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The cases — some going back six years — have been painfully slow in working their way through the courts.
—Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
That’s especially true, painfully so, for recent college graduates.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
That’s another high hurdle, because the ACA credits split Republicans painfully.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For much of the season, the Mariners’ offense looked painfully thin.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painfully
Adverb
-
The federal government shutdown enters its 21st day – headed toward its fourth week – as Democrats and Republicans remain bitterly divided over how to resolve rising health care costs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Taylor makes a persuasive case for how artists can grow, if incrementally and maybe bitterly, amid so much numbing digital noise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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While Wohl’s script is packed to the brim with thoughtful moments of beauty, comedy, and heartbreak, Liberation wouldn’t be nearly as affecting and, sadly, relatable without its stellar cast.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mitnaul said that sadly, animals being left behind in properties is not uncommon.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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When daylight savings ends next week, dragging yourself out of bed will likely feel even harder.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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But economists say recruiting young people will get harder nationwide as smaller families continue to transform the American population.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Painfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painfully. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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