1
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
he finally visited the doctor when the pain became too excruciating to ignore
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2
as in searing
difficult to endure
the excruciating heat that the settlers faced as they crossed the deserts of the Southwest
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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
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4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the excruciating grief they felt upon the loss of their dear grandfather
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as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of excruciating
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
Sometimes the Gods of Diaries, Deadlines and Travel Delays conspire to create the perfect storm of logistical implosion resulting in the need for that excruciating call.
—Iain MacAuley, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
But a moment later, despite the excruciating pain and the loss of blood, her eyes brightened.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Disputes often take an excruciating 45 to 90 days to resolve and can cause consumers to hate their credit card or debit card bank, at least temporarily.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excruciating
Adjective
The sound design was complex, with chanting and singing as the tension ratchets up to an excruciating conclusion.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
Sometimes the Gods of Diaries, Deadlines and Travel Delays conspire to create the perfect storm of logistical implosion resulting in the need for that excruciating call.
—Iain MacAuley, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
But a moment later, despite the excruciating pain and the loss of blood, her eyes brightened.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Disputes often take an excruciating 45 to 90 days to resolve and can cause consumers to hate their credit card or debit card bank, at least temporarily.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excruciating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excruciating
Adjective
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Oliver wants the world to perceive his authenticity—a funny, slightly searing character trait for a fictional rising pop star.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
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The contiguous United States has endured another searing summer.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There was also a subplot about Derek going through a painful divorce.—
Rob Reiner,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
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Moscow is holding the U.S. president’s attention, forestalling a new round of painful U.S. sanctions, and keeping the fighting going.—
Alexander Gabuev,
Foreign Affairs,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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Leaders will come under intense scrutiny both personal and professional.—
Chloe Demrovsky,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Executions by nitrogen suffocation have been described as especially torturous, said the Rev. Preston Clegg of the Second Baptist Church of Downtown Little Rock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The logistics of pushing autonomous vessels out into the deep Pacific is tough.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Our test vehicle was also equipped with the aforementioned Precision Package, and while the suspension tuning is noticeably firmer than that of the standard Blackwing, its ride quality still isn’t as harsh as the latest M5 around town and out on the highway.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Landing after months of public sparring between county leaders and the governor, the letter signaled the start of an intensive review that would put nearly every corner of county government under Tallahassee’s microscope.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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If maintaining that critical adaptation becomes more energy intensive, sharks are likely to suffer for it.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2025
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One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excruciating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excruciating. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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