1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
died an agonizing death
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in suffering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indecision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of agonizing
EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Their injuries are stomach-turning, their cries agonizing.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
In the agonizing time since, he’s endured a regimen of demanding physical therapy, and even stem-cell injections.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2025
Sharp couldn’t touch the ball again without a double-dribble being called and the ball bounced three agonizing times with no one else able to make it to the loose ball to get a shot off.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Adjective
The Whoopi Goldberg War Room™ reached a critical breaking point amid its ongoing military operations when its commander fell victim to an agonizing discussion about Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's divorce on Thursday morning's episode of The View.
—EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Their injuries are stomach-turning, their cries agonizing.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
In the agonizing time since, he’s endured a regimen of demanding physical therapy, and even stem-cell injections.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2025
Sharp couldn’t touch the ball again without a double-dribble being called and the ball bounced three agonizing times with no one else able to make it to the loose ball to get a shot off.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Like many things in life, trying to fix something later is much more painful.—
Kevin Campbell,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Lotions in particular remove hair from the root, are less painful than wax strips, and are much cheaper than laser hair removal and electrolysis.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But the only certainty in the immediate aftermath was that the suffering of the victims and their families was far from over. ‘Your chances of death are 97%’ Three days after arriving in the ICU at Charlotte Memorial Hospital, Debra Sanders succumbed to her massive injuries.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The photographs taken at a Salvadoran prison by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in front of a display of human suffering suggests a serious flaw in her character.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
William Jackson Harper’s character, Chidi, with all his moral dilemmas and indecision, helps guide her, but in turn, learns to be more decisive through Eleanor’s impulsive courage.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Sanders is a sensitive topic in the Giants building, which reflects the organization’s indecision and ongoing deliberation about him.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 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
Adjective
-
So, designing the model's apparent personality to be positive and supportive makes sense—people are less likely to use an AI that comes off as harsh or dismissive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.—
Anh Do,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Before embarking on an NBA career that's already filled with exhilarating highs and torturous lows, Pritchard helped lead the Oregon Ducks to their first Final Four appearance since the inaugural NCAA men's basketball tournament.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
This is like one of Larry David's torturous self-debates on Curb Your Enthusiasm, but without his perverse genius, his wheedling, preening hostility.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After years of hesitation, the national security space community is finally boarding the commercial space train, one that many of us have been pushing for since the early 2000’s.—
Charles Beames,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
This time around, there’s no hesitation for Larsson.—
Tiana DeNicola,
Variety,
25 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share