agonizing

adjective

ag·​o·​niz·​ing ˈa-gə-ˌnī-ziŋ How to pronounce agonizing (audio)
: causing agony
agonizingly adverb

Examples of agonizing in a Sentence

a long and agonizing battle with cancer She made the agonizing decision to cancel the trip. The agonizing wait was finally over. He was in agonizing pain.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These decisions are already inherently agonizing in and of themselves, only to be compounded by the uncertainty of what will and will not be covered by insurance. Renee Hsia, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Navigating long-term health care for older adults is an agonizing challenge faced by millions of people across the U.S. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024 Birth control These women went to the doctor for birth control and left in agonizing pain. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 But the new emotions, and the whole structure of the film, don’t feel sophisticated enough for someone suddenly experiencing the agonizing pressure of wanting to fit in and tearing herself to bits in a self-loathing effort to do so. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agonizing 

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of agonize

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of agonizing was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near agonizing

Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on agonizing

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