Painfully

/ˈpeɪn.fəl.i/

Meaning & Definition

adverb

In a way that causes physical pain or discomfort.

He filled the cavity in his tooth painlessly, but the thought of it was still painfully vivid.

In a manner that causes emotional or mental anguish.

She remembered the painfully awkward moment from their last meeting.

With great difficulty or effort.

They painfully struggled to finish the project on time.

In a way that is very noticeable, often to an uncomfortable degree.

The team's weaknesses were painfully obvious during the match.

From pain + -fully (adverbial suffix).

painfully aware

Being highly conscious of something, often in a negative context.

painfully slow

Moving or progressing at an extremely slow pace.

painfully clear

So obvious that it cannot be ignored.

pain

A physical suffering or discomfort.

pained

Experiencing or showing physical or emotional pain.

painful

Causing discomfort or distress.

To be really cringeworthy.

That joke was so painfully bad it made everyone uncomfortable.

When something is awkward to the point of embarrassment.

The meeting got painfully quiet after that comment.