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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1
as in suffering
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2
as in indecision
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1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
No one would usually dare to touch these hives as the bee attacks are brutal and strings acutely agonizing.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Not knowing the reason behind their family’s separation is agonizing.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
But even in the worst cases of lupus, the decline—though agonizing—is much slower.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agonizing 
Adjective
For too many of us, the death penalty has only prolonged an already agonizing experience with a lengthy process that leaves us with more pain, despair, and isolation.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
No one would usually dare to touch these hives as the bee attacks are brutal and strings acutely agonizing.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Not knowing the reason behind their family’s separation is agonizing.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
But even in the worst cases of lupus, the decline—though agonizing—is much slower.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
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The camera stays close, capturing painful moments (Jaouad in the hospital), sweetness (exchanging wedding rings made of green twist ties), and most of all, Batiste's incredible passion.Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Despite the painful setback, Strowman powered through the match and emerged victorious, solidifying his reputation for resilience.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The procedure got rid of the pain and suffering because it got rid of the patients.Steve Forbes, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Early treaties on war were meant primarily to protect soldiers from unnecessary pain and suffering.Hurst Hannum, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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TikTok’s unprecedented ban in the U.S. remains in the balance, with politics and judicial indecision keeping 170 million users in a social media limbo land ahead of Sunday’s deadline.Zak Doffman, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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To be sure, British primary and secondary education has seen some improvements, and after early indecision, the government’s COVID-19 vaccine policy was reasonably effective.Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ward, 28, missed four games while grieving her death.David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
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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
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Soviet scientists at the time believed that strays, given that they were already accustomed to harsh conditions, would be better suited to the extreme environments of space.Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
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Advocates and relatives describe harsh conditions in immigration detention.Dake Kang and Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s picks ‘Brutal beatings’ Cooper and hundreds of Dozier students accused school wardens of torturous abuse over minor infractions, like whippings, beatings, forced labor, and medical neglect.CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024
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Minuscule, meticulous, torturous, and incomprehensible to most mortals.Jean-Philippe Toussaint, Harper's Magazine, 22 July 2024
Noun
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For example, a financial services organization rolling out a new product and working to generate sales using only CRM data might overlook early signs of buyer hesitation.Eilon Reshef, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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The common signs of vision loss include bumping into objects, difficulty finding food or toys, hesitation with jumping, anxiety, clinginess, or even aggression due to vulnerability.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 21 Jan. 2025.
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