achingly

adverb

ach·​ing·​ly ˈā-kiŋ-lē How to pronounce achingly (audio)
1
: in an aching manner
achingly sad songs
2
: extremely, exceedingly
achingly complicated

Examples of achingly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The dozen tracks that finally tumbled out chart her path of self-reflection and forgiveness, with achingly personal lyrics paired with muscular funk, soul and blues, and backed by her shredding, soaring guitar. Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024 Whether the movies are set in 18th century France, 1960s Tennessee, or modern-day Manhattan, there is an achingly beautiful, unmistakable continuity in the Sofia Coppola Cinematic Universe. Rashida Jones, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024 Most of the time, though, the process of evolution seemed achingly slow, the biological equivalent of watching paint dry. Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024 The final achingly exquisite touch was a pearl button that fastened the strap. Lyn Slater, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2024 The pace is achingly slow, and the short story feels stretched over eight long episodes. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 With Cotton and Rye, Shultz created a warm industrial space in which to savor elevated comfort foods that seem both achingly familiar and entirely new with each bite. Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 The vulnerability of the planet remains achingly urgent. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 If the moment-to-moment meaning of the scene sometimes requires guesswork, the love story at the heart of the tale is achingly clear. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'achingly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

aching + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of achingly was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near achingly

Cite this Entry

“Achingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achingly. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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