1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
died an agonizing death
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in suffering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indecision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Ross Barkan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
After five agonizing days, the coroner confirmed to the family on Jan. 12 that Curry died in the Eaton fire.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
But the final plot twist is less a blowout than a private revelation that brings agonizing clarity — the kind of thing people write songs about.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
And the many agonizing challenges Ricky faces along the way — holding down a job, commuting without a car, keeping his parole officer (Sheryl Lee Ralph) off his case — are derived from real life.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for agonizing 
Adjective
Remarkably, there is little outward agonizing over what comes next, and what the party should resemble in the coming years.
—Ross Barkan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
After five agonizing days, the coroner confirmed to the family on Jan. 12 that Curry died in the Eaton fire.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
But the final plot twist is less a blowout than a private revelation that brings agonizing clarity — the kind of thing people write songs about.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
And the many agonizing challenges Ricky faces along the way — holding down a job, commuting without a car, keeping his parole officer (Sheryl Lee Ralph) off his case — are derived from real life.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
An ultimate taboo, disclosing the impulse to kill one's child must be an unthinkably painful admission.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Watching De Zerbi trying to use a threadbare squad last season was painful at times.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, of whom more than 300 allege suffering beatings, torture and other ill-treatment at the hands of law enforcement, according to Amnesty International.—
Elizabeth McBride,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
-
According to the lawsuit, the city of Palm Bay, its police department and the officer are responsible for pain, suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, outrage and loss of reputation experienced by Maloof.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Violence as currency, everything binary and stripped of nuance, uncertainty, indecision.—
Bob Guccione Jr.,
SPIN,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The biggest problem against the Rams in the Wild Card game was his indecision.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Ward, 28, missed four games while grieving her death.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
29 Dec. 2024
-
The Christmas Eve shooting also devastated the still-grieving Oxford community, where a teenage gunman went on a rampage at Oxford High School in November 2021, killing four classmates and seven others, including a teacher.—
Tresa Baldas,
Detroit Free Press,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.—
Brie Stimson,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even better, these expert tips should make easing into healthier phone habits much more manageable (and way less torturous).—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Fans rushed the floor after OSU secured the upset, a joyous celebration on a campus that’s been through the college realignment wringer, a torturous process that ultimately killed the Beavers’ conference.—
Lindsay Schnell,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Republican support But other Republicans had no hesitation in backing her.—
David Lightman,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Feb. 2025
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Additionally, Butler had initial hesitation in going to the Bay.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The imagery of The Pink Opaque’s Midnight Realm is frightening, but the potent themes and aching nostalgia are what will keep you up at night.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2024
-
Risotto, in other words, is governed by a set of laws that are rooted in tradition, rich in common sense, and aching to be broken or bent.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near agonizing
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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