agonizing
adjective
ag·o·niz·ing
ˈa-gə-ˌnī-ziŋ 
: causing agony
an agonizing injury
agonizingly
adverb
Examples of agonizing in a Sentence
a long and agonizing battle with cancer
She made the agonizing decision to cancel the trip.
The agonizing wait was finally over.
He was in agonizing pain.
Recent Examples on the Web
But to even start that journey requires an agonizing, sober look in the mirror.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In a movie that’s almost operatic in its cymbal clashes of violence, its agonizing tensions and vicious threats, the heartstopping scene in which Hester receives her diagnosis at the doctor’s office is perhaps the single most devastating moment.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
For Heather, those days were agonizing.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Both cities have seen their teams go to multiple Stanley Cup Finals but come up empty each time, sometimes in agonizing fashion.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
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.
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In a movie that’s almost operatic in its cymbal clashes of violence, its agonizing tensions and vicious threats, the heartstopping scene in which Hester receives her diagnosis at the doctor’s office is perhaps the single most devastating moment.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
For Heather, those days were agonizing.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Both cities have seen their teams go to multiple Stanley Cup Finals but come up empty each time, sometimes in agonizing fashion.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
