1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
died an agonizing death
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain
agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in suffering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in indecision
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Paul Fillinger, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Watching Spencer unravel and knowing Toby was playing this double agent game was agonizing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
White survived, but watched countless peers and loved ones suffer agonizing deaths.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
As recognition of Bechdel’s talents grew, her methods became more laborious, her subject matter more agonizing.
—Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Verb
She is trapped in a prison of a failing body while her mind disappeared piece by agonizing piece into Alzheimer’s.
—Paul Fillinger, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Watching Spencer unravel and knowing Toby was playing this double agent game was agonizing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
White survived, but watched countless peers and loved ones suffer agonizing deaths.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
As recognition of Bechdel’s talents grew, her methods became more laborious, her subject matter more agonizing.
—Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Bernie had facial fractures, cuts and bruises around his face, and very painful muscle injuries.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
Deciding where to manufacture your product is one of the most painful questions today.—
Alex Gudilko,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Bereavement hallucinations—intensely vivid encounters with the deceased—are reported by as many as half of all grieving people.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Catalan feature tells the stories of Anabel and her mother, Delia, who are grieving for Julián, Anabel’s father.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Feelings of revenge soon morphed into a deep sadness for my friends’ pain and suffering.—
Roberto Loiederman,
Baltimore Sun,
8 July 2025
-
In due course, the winners can be demonized, while the losers exercise political pressure to prevent change and redress their own suffering.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
However, delay or indecision risks ceding ground to rivals and forfeiting a valuable strategic edge.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
Even though bombshell Pepe and Hannah have had a couple of steamy moments, Hannah and Charlie connected on a deeper level after days of indecision.—
Taryn Finley,
Refinery29,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
-
The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Teddi Mellencamp has finally emerged on the healthy side of a torturous, years-long battle with cancer.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
-
Working out was a chore or—even worse—torturous penance for failing to become the impossible ever-shrinking woman.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Wiz could be a turning point for an uncertain IPO market and a mergers and acquisitions environment aching from a slowdown in deal activity.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
-
In fact, this iteration is a lighter and more cushioned version, with a level of support and shock absorption that ensures your feet are not aching after a day of sightseeing.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
On the other hand, hesitation or half-measures will send a clear signal to founders and investors that Israel is content to watch from the sidelines.—
Tomer Niv,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Despite starting from a neutral position roughly three yards off his line, John shows no hesitation in extending himself nearly 10 yards to reach the edge of his penalty spot and claim the ball with authority.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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