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 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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 June 2025
An alligator that narrowly escaped poachers in Florida was left in an agonizing predicament when a cord cinched to its head began slicing off its nose, a YouTube video shows.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
There is nothing worse than running into your toxic ex over a tepid cheese plate, or making agonizing small talk with your drunk boss at the office holiday soiree, or being trapped in the stripper-pole party bus on the bachelorette weekend from hell.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
Texas Tech has never had a season this brilliant, but Texas’ postseason story has been riddled with agonizing defeat as the Longhorns have lost in 2022 and 2024 in the championship series.
—Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Verb
An agonizing and eventful 42 minutes later, elation erupted throughout the century-old ballpark as rookie catcher Carlos Narváez clocked a single off the wall for a 2-1 walk-off win for the Red Sox in the 10th inning.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 June 2025
An alligator that narrowly escaped poachers in Florida was left in an agonizing predicament when a cord cinched to its head began slicing off its nose, a YouTube video shows.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
There is nothing worse than running into your toxic ex over a tepid cheese plate, or making agonizing small talk with your drunk boss at the office holiday soiree, or being trapped in the stripper-pole party bus on the bachelorette weekend from hell.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
Texas Tech has never had a season this brilliant, but Texas’ postseason story has been riddled with agonizing defeat as the Longhorns have lost in 2022 and 2024 in the championship series.
—Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Their venom, similar to a bee’s or wasp’s, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin.—
Gareth McGrath,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Once Schaefer’s emotional moment was done, the rest of the conversations ranged from mildly awkward to borderline painful.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 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
-
Over and over, Victor argues for the emotional experience of suffering, that recovering from terrible trauma is genuinely complicated.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 June 2025
-
During times of suffering, we were obsessed with what wasn’t being said as much as what was actually said.—
Matthew Clark Davison,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Delays and indecision have already cost us valuable time.—
Josh McBroom,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
-
And all three other members express regret about George’s indecision costing the group a spot in the lineup for the historic marathon Live Aid concert at London’s Wembley Stadium.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Come spring, the Ranger III carries everything from outhouses and diesel fuel for the generators to construction supplies to repair whatever damage Mother Nature did to facilities over the harsh winter.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Yet the harshest critic is often the one in the mirror.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Atletico only made three interceptions (PSG had 12), which was partly Diego Simeone’s game plan, but also proof of just how torturous PSG are to defend against.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
Included in that torturous run was a 24-game losing streak.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
1 June 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
-
Their only hesitation were their concerns for his future.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
These travelers pausing their U.S. visits aren't swearing off the U.S. forever, but their hesitation shows the country's current political actions aren't going unnoticed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share