EXCRUCIATE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

excruciate

verb

ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌāt

Definition of excruciate

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 excruciate For example, a person with a hernia who infrequently experiences minor discomfort likely wouldn't be as much of a priority as someone with a hernia that causes excruciating pain every day. — Perry Vandell, azcentral, 25 Apr. 2020 Sometimes their grandchildren are excruciated and appalled by what’s meant to be lightly funny. — Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2020 Exposed, incapacitated, and in excruciating pain, laboring moms rely on other people—doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and especially their partners—for help and support. — Minhae Shim Roth, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2020 One poor woman is left in excruciating pain for 24 hours, and Meredith’s ex-boyfriend Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) accuses the relative of a patient of being a human trafficker. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 20 Mar. 2020 See All Example Sentences for excruciate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excruciate

Verb

What did Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold see in Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, mayor of the New England island town plagued by a historic curse?

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
South Africa is plagued by violence, but extensive research has found that white South African farmers are not victims of crime at higher rates than other groups.

— Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

Although the two programs similarly target humanitarian concerns, being a TPS holder does not guarantee asylum, which requires that applicants prove they’ve been persecuted on specific grounds.

— Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2026
In The Bacchae, Dionysus becomes violent only because his existence has been denied and his followers persecuted, and his maenads similarly become destructive only when pursued.

— Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

Repeat this process once the soil has dried again, until affected plants are no longer afflicted with pests.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026
Blending horror with comedy, the Apple TV show takes place in a fictitious New England island town afflicted by a centuries-old curse that brings about supernatural evils.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

Human rights organizations have released multiple reports alleging Palestinian prisoners are mistreated, tortured and wrongfully detained in Israeli jails.

— CBS News, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Working off a few vague details, Bret begins to imagine a link between Robert and a serial killer known as the Trawler, who has been abducting and torturing young women around Los Angeles.

— Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of torture

Verb

Aside from tormenting the sole out transgender member of Congress by waging a campaign to bar her from using the women’s bathroom in the Capitol, Mace had been a side player that year.

— Annie Karni, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
From Boyle Heights to Monterey Park, residents said they were overwhelmed by the smoke from the week-long fire, and then tormented by the horrible stench from decaying meat and seafood.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of torment

Verb

The staff means business, with the host stand besieged by walk-ins, take-out orders, and impatient guests waiting outside.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
His entries have always been besieged by cameos from popular characters such as Iron Man, Nick Fury, or, as in No Way Home, the Spider-Men that preceded Holland’s take.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of besiege

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excreting

excruciate

excruciated

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“Excruciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excruciate. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of excruciate

verb

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