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

Another patient in the post-anesthesiology recovery unit treated by the same nurse was in excruciating pain under her care. — Alexandra Byrne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026

The threat to major oil companies that employ up to 100,000 workers must have been excruciating until vaccines eventually appeared to stem the tide. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Graphic autopsy photos shown in court Before McDonald brought emotion to the witness stand, the day began with some testimony that appeared excruciating for the Shakur family. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Also, splitting the bill at the end of the evening is excruciating. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026