Meaning & Definition of word "Painfully"

Painfully

/ˈpeɪn.fəl.i/

1. In a way that causes physical pain or discomfort.
- Example: He filled the cavity in his tooth painlessly, but the thought of it was still painfully vivid.
2. In a manner that causes emotional or mental anguish.
- Example: She remembered the painfully awkward moment from their last meeting.
3. With great difficulty or effort.
- Example: They painfully struggled to finish the project on time.
4. In a way that is very noticeable, often to an uncomfortable degree.
- Example: 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.

Meaning: To be really cringeworthy.

Example Sentence: That joke was so painfully bad it made everyone uncomfortable.

Meaning: When something is awkward to the point of embarrassment.

Example Sentence: The meeting got painfully quiet after that comment.