agonizing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈa-gə-ˌnī-ziŋ How to pronounce agonizing (audio)
Definition of agonizingnext
1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon

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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful died an agonizing death

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agonizing

2 of 3

noun

1
as in suffering

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2
as in indecision

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agonizing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of agonize
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agonizing
Adjective
There is, on the surface, no part of this that seems to be anything other than agonizing. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Two years ago, Vollering missed out on Tour victory after finishing an agonizing four seconds behind Niewiadoma-Phinney on the last stage. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
My agonizing over a coin toss illustrates the basic distortion that gambling exerts on spectating. — Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
To accept that there will always be creatures teeming nearby, some of them agonizing, expelled from their days. — María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 The parents who keep looking for him, agonizing over his health. — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
  1. painful
  2. wrenching
  3. suffering
  4. indecision
  5. plaguing
  6. grieving
  7. harsh
  8. torturous
Adjective
  • Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its absence does not make the eventual adjustment less painful.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Prosecutors plan to seek a two-year extension at an April hearing, and the families of both victims delivered wrenching impact statements in court.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bono penned a wrenching tribute to Hansard on the day of his death.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrenching
Noun
  • A great deal of flourishing and suffering happens between people, not just within them, because human beings are relational beings.
    — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Experts have cautioned that Iran’s repressive regime is unlikely to be swayed by the suffering of ordinary citizens and is prepared to wait out economic hardship longer than Americans can endure high gas prices.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of suffering
Noun
  • They are forced to confront their indecision about becoming parents when their divorced friend (Kate Berlant) and her daughter move in with them.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • True commitment allows strategies to develop and succeed, as indecision hinders progress.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indecision
Verb
  • And in contrast to most brands, Essence Cosmetics and Catrice revealed at the beginning of this year that despite the tariffs plaguing all industries, the company would not be raising prices.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This is a snapshot of the current WNBA experience—unprecedented growth and great basketball at risk of being swallowed up by the same culture wars plaguing the broader political landscape.
    — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of plaguing
Verb
  • Crump was flanked by three sets of grieving Black families who have all lost their sons in recent months.
    — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The grieving husband said Soto de Guzman wanted to take their son to Santo Domingo on the day after she was killed and had already booked a flight, but the son was in the midst of a mental health crisis.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of grieving
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • But, for the figures on the other end of the camera, the violation is often described as torturous.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • San Francisco has found many odd, obscure and torturous ways to lose this season.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of torturous

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Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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