excruciating

adjective

ex·​cru·​ci·​at·​ing ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌā-tiŋ How to pronounce excruciating (audio)
1
: causing great pain or anguish : agonizing
the nation's most excruciating dilemmaW. H. Ferry
2
: very intense : extreme
excruciating pain
excruciatingly adverb

Examples of excruciating in a Sentence

I have an excruciating headache. an excruciating moment of embarrassment They described their vacation in excruciating detail.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Marking its 70th anniversary in 2023, Buchinger Wilhelmi in Überlingen, Germany, was the brainchild of a clean-living German naval doctor, Otto Buchinger (1878-1966), whose career was cut short by excruciating rheumatism. Bill Prince, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024 Helene's toll: Hurricane among the deadliest since 1950 The cost in dollars: Hurricane season will cost over $100B Women online are warning each other about painful procedures Kerry Schwartz suffered excruciating pain during a gynecological biopsy to have a fibroid removed. John Riley, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 In January 2023, Republicans had a 10-seat majority and McCarthy needed 15 excruciating ballots to win the gavel. Juliegrace Brufke, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 For most, the telltale sign is the sudden onset of excruciating pain radiating from the side (flank) to the groin or inner thigh, which comes and goes in waves. Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for excruciating 

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excruciating was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near excruciating

Cite this Entry

“Excruciating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excruciating. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

excruciating

adjective
ex·​cru·​ci·​at·​ing
ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌāt-iŋ
1
: causing great mental or physical pain : agonizing
excruciating torture
an excruciating decision to leave
2
: very severe
excruciating pain
excruciatingly
-iŋ-lē
adverb
Etymology

derived from Latin excruciatus, past participle of excruciare "to torture," from ex- "out of, from" and cruciare "to torment, crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" — related to cross, crucial, crucify

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