painfully

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the day Al-Zaharnah monitored the excavation, the crews were working at a painfully slow pace, peeling back the pancaked layers of the building one by one.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

I have a painfully naive fantasy of being a war correspondent, but that’s not what this is.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

To a significant degree, this change is about Americans waking up to facts that were painfully obvious to nearly everyone else.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026

"I didn't fall off the chair, but it was painfully obvious," said Humphrys, adding: "That was the last time ever."

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Amelia grinds the words out painfully, like they’re scratching the inside of her throat.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day