agonizing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈa-gə-ˌnī-ziŋ How to pronounce agonizing (audio)
Definition of agonizingnext
1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon

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2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful died an agonizing death

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agonizing

2 of 3

noun

1
as in suffering

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2
as in indecision

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agonizing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of agonize
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother

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2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing

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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
Adjective
This launch is the culmination of an agonizing rebranding campaign. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026 Imagine waiting in line for an agonizing 40 minutes to go through security. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
My agonizing over a coin toss illustrates the basic distortion that gambling exerts on spectating. — Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
To your point, agonizing about everything isn’t doing me any favors. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026 Even a lot of contemporary fiction, where the scenario of characters agonizing over whether to have children has become quite common, defaults to a laconic style (very short paragraphs separated by empty space, for example) that channels the familiar wariness about lushness. — Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
  1. painful
  2. wrenching
  3. suffering
  4. indecision
  5. plaguing
  6. grieving
  7. harsh
  8. torturous
Adjective
  • Harvard Health’s advice on coping with holiday grief suggests adjusting celebrations or starting new traditions when old ones feel too painful.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In theory, the war’s descent into a painful stalemate should open the door to diplomatic outcomes.
    — ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Richard Ables guided families through one of life’s most wrenching rituals at the historic Hall Brothers Funeral Home.
    — Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2026
  • After a quiet episode focused on Hal Jordan’s passing, Lanterns’s penultimate chapter deepens the mystery in surprising and wrenching ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrenching
Noun
  • The actions of the first medical providers caused permanent injury, disfigurement and suffering, according to the lawsuit.
    — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Sick and suffering and young and stupid do not factor into the construction of a case against you.
    — Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of suffering
Noun
  • In other words, this is a call to trade comfortable indecision (Libra) for a serious plan of action (Capricorn).
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
  • After days of indecision, NASCAR disciplined seven people who participated in the attack on young racing star Corey Heim in front of a concession stand at Martinsville Speedway shortly after the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on Saturday.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of indecision
Verb
  • After the great lift drama of 2026, Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba proposes a new solution to the problem plaguing pros trying to add pizzazz to their routines.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The extraordinary extent of Edward’s absorption in Nighthawks suggests that the painting was a product of exceptional, almost obsessive focus, with little of the typical delays or doubts plaguing its genesis.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of plaguing
Verb
  • Vogelsong-Parvin, in her closing argument, contended that Nakira did not act like a grieving parent.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The state’s rebuttal witness testified that Hinton was grieving and angry but knew his actions were wrong.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of grieving
Adjective
  • However, perovskites are notoriously vulnerable to moisture and harsh chemical environments, posing a clear problem in seawater.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • With another harsh winter approaching, those still there face death from hunger or disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • But genuinely funny moments are rare, badly outnumbered by done-to-death musings regarding the mysteries of being alive and torturous melodramatic moments in which Klara dully absorbs the severity of Josie’s illness and Chrissy’s sorrow.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The visits come as Republicans are gearing up for a potentially torturous election cycle amid broad voter dissatisfaction on a slew of issues, including the economy, war with Iran and Trump himself.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of torturous

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Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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