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

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.
The kidnapping has been a highly public, agonizing ordeal for Savannah Guthrie, who only recently returned to her morning show seat alongside Craig Melvin. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 Politicians are polling, strategizing — and agonizing. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026 Radcliffe has my highest admiration, notwithstanding the superb and more traditional work in this category by Nathan Lane, whose Willy Loman is agonizing to watch, and John Lithgow, who, like Chenoweth, was also willing to take on the role of a deeply unsympathetic character. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 Thankfully, New Yorkers have recently been freed from the agonizing personal calculus of whether to air-freight burritos across the landmass of North America. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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