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
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in indecision
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
To see Gauff and Shelton live through the rollercoaster was agonizing and uplifting at the same time.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Even those plot points feel a bit dated, with Ivy’s ascent as a food star marked by hobnobbing with David Chang, and Theo agonizing over remixes and GIFs of his anguish.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Verb
For McConaughey, the role was irresistible because of the father-son relationship at the film’s heart, as well as the relentless compression of agonizing decisions piled onto his character.
—Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
To see Gauff and Shelton live through the rollercoaster was agonizing and uplifting at the same time.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Playoff roster decisions are agonizing for every Major League Baseball front office, but the Toronto Blue Jays are dealing with some particularly tough calls this year.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Even those plot points feel a bit dated, with Ivy’s ascent as a food star marked by hobnobbing with David Chang, and Theo agonizing over remixes and GIFs of his anguish.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Cleveland’s Progressive Field, though, has turned into Skubal’s Waterloo, the site of the two most painful and most fateful moments of his career thus far.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Björk's 2015 album Vulnicura tells the story of the Icelandic pop artist's emotional journey following a painful breakup with her then-longtime partner, American artist Matthew Barney.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The outage adds to a series of high-profile technical and staffing issues plaguing the FAA this year.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
There's another mystery plaguing Morgan and her family in the Season 2 premiere.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s sudden passing in July left many grieving the beloved actor, but for his wife and young daughter, his death cut deeper.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
However, the organizations were giving the grieving mother time with her calf before disturbing her.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hamas has terrorized the Israeli people and oppressed the people of Gaza, causing horrific suffering.—
Ben Kelly,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
And most importantly, the vast and ugly images of human suffering.—
Greg Palkot,
FOXNews.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Groups larger than six are required to order from a set chef’s choice menu—to better ward off indecision and infighting.—
Maggie Hennessy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Balance doesn’t mean indecision.—
Frank Sorrentino,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These findings highlight an urgent need to shield stem cells from the harsh realities of space.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Rain is coming, penciled in for an hour or two from now, and a harsh British wind is flinging leaves off branches and cloaking the countryside with something that smells dungy and damp.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The longtime actor and multi-faceted filmmaker crafts an unhinged, go-for-broke performance as a legendary quarterback putting his potential heir apparent (Tyriq Withers) through a psychologically torturous training camp.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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Season 2 reveals the main characters were locked up in a torturous adult rehabilitation center, but have now been allowed to re-enroll at Godolkin University.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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