painfully

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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
  • That’s because, sadly, many bat populations have declined in recent years due to factors including habitat loss, wind turbines, and white nose syndrome (WNS), a devastating fungal disease which disrupts their natural hibernation cycles.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But, sadly for us, relationships are a bit messier than probability would have it.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Painfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painfully. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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