Synonyms of excruciating

excruciating 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌā-tiŋ 

1

as in wrenching

intensely or unbearably painful

he finally visited the doctor when the pain became too excruciating to ignore

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wrenching
• torturous
• agonizing
• intense
• torturing
• harrowing
• raging
• extreme
• tormenting
• violent
• acute
• exquisite
• racking
• biting
• fierce
• stabbing
• vehement
• tearing
• stinging
• penetrating
• sharp
• piercing
• shooting
• tingling
• cutting
• smarting

2

as in searing

difficult to endure

the excruciating heat that the settlers faced as they crossed the deserts of the Southwest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• searing
• tough
• harsh
• oppressive
• brutal
• severe
• hard
• rough
• painful
• trying
• cruel
• grim
• onerous
• burdensome
• heavy
• grievous
• inhuman
• bitter
• murderous
• bleak
• rugged
• unbearable
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• agonizing
• unpleasant
• hardhanded
• discomforting
• rigorous
• strict
• overwhelming
• bad
• inhospitable
• intolerable
• crushing
• unendurable
• forbidding
• stringent
• spartan
• austere
• inclement
• biting
• comfortless
• tortuous
• heartbreaking
• insufferable
• harrowing
• intemperate
• wretched
• grinding
• wild
• heartrending
• insupportable
• disagreeable
• hostile
• wearing
• unfriendly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• light
• soft
• comfortable
• pleasant
• luxurious
• agreeable
• friendly
• cozy
• hospitable
• peaceful
• genial
• tolerable
• bearable
• restful
• relaxing
• painless
• mild
• moderate
• gentle
• calm
• snug
• endurable
• temperate
• balmy
• reposeful
• clement

3

as in painful

hard to accept or bear especially emotionally

most excruciating of all was the endless wait for news of any survivors of the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• painful
• harsh
• torturous
• cruel
• agonizing
• horrible
• terrible
• harrowing
• bitter
• severe
• unbearable
• grievous
• hurtful
• awful
• unacceptable
• galling
• tormenting
• dreadful
• intolerable
• heartrending
• unendurable
• afflicting
• insufferable
• bad
• miserable
• intense
• appalling
• dire
• extreme
• insupportable
• acute
• ghastly
• vile
• wretched
• nasty
• unsupportable
• rotten
• piercing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratifying
• sweet
• pleasing
• tolerable
• bearable
• endurable
• sustainable
• acceptable
• supportable
• reasonable
• survivable
• allowable
• livable
• sufferable

4

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

the excruciating grief they felt upon the loss of their dear grandfather

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• terrible
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• profound
• heavy
• acute
• violent
• dreadful
• vicious
• ghastly
• explosive
• exquisite
• blistering
• frightful
• fearful
• fearsome
• hard
• vehement
• hellacious
• intensified
• keen
• heavy-duty
• aggravated
• almighty
• harsh
• severe
• heightened
• concentrated
• magnified
• enhanced
• exhaustive
• thorough
• stressed
• deepened
• accentuated
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• light
• weak
• soft
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• eased
• qualified
• decreased
• reduced
• moderated
• diminished
• toned (down)
• subdued
• alleviated
• lessened
• lightened
• abated

excruciating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of excruciate

as in plaguing

to cause persistent suffering to

she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plaguing
• afflicting
• persecuting
• torturing
• agonizing
• harrowing
• anguishing
• tormenting
• cursing
• besieging
• bothering
• troubling
• attacking
• stinging
• bedeviling
• besetting
• racking
• aggravating
• disturbing
• annoying
• exasperating
• overwhelming
• striking
• distressing
• irritating
• pursuing
• worrying
• discomforting
• badgering
• upsetting
• vexing
• harassing
• trying
• disquieting
• grieving
• hurting
• assailing
• chafing
• hounding
• irking
• galling
• dogging
• riding
• griping
• perturbing
• nettling
• pestering
• stressing
• stabbing
• harrying
• bugging
• grating
• agitating
• smarting
• oppressing
• straining
• molesting
• overpowering
• rasping
• crushing
• riling
• paining
• pricking
• smiting
• putting out
• victimizing
• tyrannizing
• piquing
• flustering
• peeving
• wringing
• getting
• discomposing
• hagriding
• panging
• martyring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisting
• helping
• aiding
• abetting
• relieving
• delivering
• releasing
• comforting
• soothing
• consoling
• quieting
• contenting
• solacing
• succoring
• reprieving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excruciating

Adjective

Johnson and Martin saw their breakup go public a little over a year ago, which had to be excruciating for someone as private as Johnson. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

The experience of watching the film was ambiently excruciating, like twiddling your thumbs at a bus stop on a humid day. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Medetomidine withdrawal is known to be excruciating, with an elevated heart rate and blood pressure that can, in severe cases, be life-threatening. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

The emotionally wrenching case, marked by excruciating testimony and Clancy’s paralysis after a suicide attempt, has intensified scrutiny of maternal mental health and Massachusetts’ standard for criminal responsibility. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026