Now he has reached a painful conclusion: she will find the strength to change only after she sinks lower.

After leaving Poplar Forest, he had come to a painful conclusion.

The release of the draft report - and its painful conclusions - have been politely, if uncomfortably, received in this city.

Our President acted in conformity with the rule of law - even if it led to the painful conclusion that justice might be delayed.

But an unanticipated swarm of bees brings this little morality play to a sudden and painful conclusion for all concerned.

Graeboe seemed to reconsider something, and to come to a painful conclusion.

"People were ashamed," she said, tears brimming in blue eyes, and so she was left to draw painful conclusions.

Either way, spaghettification leads to a painful conclusion.

It was, for the college, a stunningly painful conclusion to a difficult year.

Finally, there is the painful conclusion that Congo's democratisation process remains very fragile.