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 femur is the human body’s longest, strongest bone, and among the most agonizing to break. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026 After lifting the trophy in Russia eight years ago, painful memories of an agonizing loss to Argentina in Qatar remain. Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026 Ferguson's father spoke of the agonizing days spent at his son's hospital bedside after he was declared brain dead. Sergio Candido, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026 The audience experiences the scene of agonizing beauty as the man does. John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 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

Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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