Torturously

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that results in prolonged and excruciating pain or distress
2. In a manner that produces extreme physical or mental anguish
3. By causing severe and drawn-out discomfort or torment

Etymology: "Torturously" is a plain formation: the adjective "torturous," meaning causing torture, with the adverbial ending "-ly" added to it. The adjective itself comes from "torture," which in turn traces back through Latin "tortura," from "torquere," to twist. The "-ly" ending has a longer pedigree, descending from an Old English element "-līce," which was attached to adjectives to form adverbs of manner, and which was ultimately related to the word for "body" or "form." Its persistence in English is why most adjectives can be turned into adverbs in this same way.

Synonyms: agonizingly, painfully

Antonyms: easily, comfortably