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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.
Much of Hamnet consists of either agonizing scenes of childbirth or far more agonizing scenes of child illness. David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2025 As residents endure an agonizing wait for news, some say there were early warning signs and pleas for action. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025 Already, the wait for the second half feels agonizing, thanks to the Duffers putting the Hawkins gang through their paces and then some. Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 27 Nov. 2025 But making the cessation of treatment official with Steiner was far less emotional to Eliot than any number of other moments during the long and agonizing journey to this bleak juncture. Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

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