excruciating

adjective

ex·​cru·​ci·​at·​ing ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌā-tiŋ 

1

: causing great pain or anguish : agonizing

the nation's most excruciating dilemma

—W. H. Ferry

2

: very intense : extreme

excruciating pain

excruciatingly

ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• agonizing
• harrowing
• racking
• raging
• tormenting
• torturing
• torturous
• wrenching

Examples of excruciating in a Sentence

I have an excruciating headache.

an excruciating moment of embarrassment

They described their vacation in excruciating detail.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, what we’re served feels more like dirty limericks delivered at an excruciating pace by a bore with bad breath. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

The atmosphere is of gloomy foreboding, as the family shuffles through the excruciating formalities and rituals involved in the birth of a new Groan heir, all under the ambitious gaze of the servant Steerpike. —Marianne Gordon, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

The 2022 Finals were even more excruciating for the Celtics, who took a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors before TD Garden devolved into a house of horrors. —Ben Golliver, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Euphoria’s second season came to a close in Feb. 2022 after an excruciating climax that saw Zendaya’s Rue hitting rock bottom after an emotionally draining relapse. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

excruciating

adjective

ex·​cru·​ci·​at·​ing

ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌāt-iŋ

1

: causing great mental or physical pain : agonizing

excruciating torture

an excruciating decision to leave

2

: very severe

excruciating pain

excruciatingly

-iŋ-lē

adverb

Etymology

derived from Latin excruciatus, past participle of excruciare "to torture," from ex- "out of, from" and cruciare "to torment, crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" — related to cross, crucial, crucify