painful
adjective
affected with, causing, or characterized by pain.
painfully
-
a word derived from
painful.
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.
The city is well aware that the property assessment system described above is painfully cumbersome.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
Svitlana maintains a brave smile throughout our conversation, but her distress is painfully obvious.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
That simple, honorable point about the dignity of emigrating remains painfully controversial in Dean’s home country and here.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Despite the movie’s theoretical scope, its execution is painfully and frustratingly diminutive.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
She fell to her knees and reached under the dresser with her hand, the scrollwork of the front bottom edge scraping against her arm painfully.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
