agonizing

adjective

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

Synonyms of agonizing

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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.
While the Reeder family continues to wait for answers — from psychics or elsewhere — Sophie’s father has begun to make peace with the agonizing situation that has now prompted authorities to seek clarity from the beyond. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 The group’s predictions are nightmarish and agonizing to even contemplate. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Two Elmwood jail inmates were convicted at trial of murdering another inmate in a vicious gang beating that was executed over the course of 11 agonizing minutes, and went undetected even as it was recorded on surveillance cameras. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026 There is, on the surface, no part of this that seems to be anything other than agonizing. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

agonized
agonizing
Agonostomus
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Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agonizing

Nglish: Translation of agonizing for Spanish Speakers

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