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
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
But having to tell someone that out loud was agonizing.
—Autumn Barnes, NPR, 25 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
To see Gauff and Shelton live through the rollercoaster was agonizing and uplifting at the same time.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
But having to tell someone that out loud was agonizing.
—Autumn Barnes, NPR, 25 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
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In other words, the more painful the cry sounded, the warmer the listener's face became—and the effect was the same for both men and women.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Queen could have surgery to remove bunions, but has been warned against it as the surgery is too painful.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Large swaths of eastern Colorado have evaded the drought plaguing most of the state west of 25.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The group discussed several issues still plaguing the towing industry and vehicle owners after the legislature overhauled the state’s more than 100-year-old law in May.—
Dave Altimari,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The longtime pastor of Korumburra Baptist Church also thanked the prosecutors, medical staff, and members of the community who’d reached out to support his grieving family.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In this sequel to The Ice Road that trades Canadian ice flats for cliff-edge drop-offs and hairpin passes, Neeson’s grieving character Mike McCann heads to the Himalayas to scatter his brother’s ashes.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Today’s resolution is yet another counterproductive gesture that only rewards Hamas, drags out the war and undercuts the very diplomatic efforts to free the hostages and end the suffering in Gaza.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ditiu hopes that outlining the scale of potential suffering will galvanize counties and donors to push for the lower range of study's projections.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Belly’s indecision between Conrad, played by Christopher Briney and Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalegno, offers an almost cinematic version of desire that fans can mentally enjoy.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Amphibious cars are a monument to indecision, never perfected, always a compromise of some sort but often in their weird way sublime, like the Sea Lion Amphibious Prototype heading for auction this weekend.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Within the film’s compact running time, writer-director Ben Hania traces the fraught and torturous hours of January 29, 2024, when Palestine Red Crescent volunteers in the West Bank tried to calm a terrified 6-year-old girl and get an ambulance to her in Gaza.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
From the almost humorous to the truly torturous, being plunked into unknown wilderness in total isolation—which is what happens on Alone—results in all manner of strange mental phenomenon.—
Woniya Thibeault,
Outside,
26 Aug. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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