painfully

Definition

  • adverb: very or extremely
  • used especially to describe something that is bad, unpleasant, or upsetting
see also: painful

Examples

  • They made it 'painfully' obvious/clear that we were not welcome. [=they made it very clear in a way that was rude or upsetting that we were not welcome]

  • After the injury she was 'painfully' aware that her career in tennis would be over.

  • After her tooth was pulled, her jaw was 'painfully' swollen.