1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
died an agonizing death
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain
agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in suffering
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in indecision
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Debbie Koristz, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
The 2-to-1 decision was the latest upheaval for families awaiting a resolution in the long, agonizing case and does not mean the conspiracy trial can start soon.
—New York Times, 11 July 2025
That shame sometimes spiraled into agonizing hypotheticals.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
In one agonizing scene, Jack crashes the stage at the Grammy Awards as Ally accepts her Best New Artist trophy, then pisses his pants in front of everyone.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Verb
After twenty agonizing minutes of missiles, the all-clear sounded.
—Debbie Koristz, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
The 2-to-1 decision was the latest upheaval for families awaiting a resolution in the long, agonizing case and does not mean the conspiracy trial can start soon.
—New York Times, 11 July 2025
That shame sometimes spiraled into agonizing hypotheticals.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
In one agonizing scene, Jack crashes the stage at the Grammy Awards as Ally accepts her Best New Artist trophy, then pisses his pants in front of everyone.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bereavement hallucinations—intensely vivid encounters with the deceased—are reported by as many as half of all grieving people.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Catalan feature tells the stories of Anabel and her mother, Delia, who are grieving for Julián, Anabel’s father.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Concepts like zero, karma, ahimsa, non-duality, and moksha shaped not just her identity but how the world understands selfhood, suffering, time, and truth.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The events of October 7, 2023 and the ongoing suffering in Gaza weigh heavily on us, underscoring the urgent need for compassion amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The surface area of indecision expands, and momentum leaks away.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The Atlantic: How the GOP’s indecision in Congress could crash the markets.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
The report didn’t elaborate on that treatment but studies and surveys have previously highlighted the military’s notoriously harsh conditions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
-
After weeks of acrimony, concern and harsh statements, the dispute over who will control the River Forest Civic Center building at 8020 W. Madison seems to be headed toward a resolution.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Season 2 reveals the main characters were locked up in a torturous adult rehabilitation center, but have now been allowed to re-enroll at Godolkin University.—
Zoe Kaplan,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Other detainees have also called the conditions torturous, saying the facility is full of mosquitoes and where fluorescent lights shine bright on them at all times.—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Wiz could be a turning point for an uncertain IPO market and a mergers and acquisitions environment aching from a slowdown in deal activity.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
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In fact, this iteration is a lighter and more cushioned version, with a level of support and shock absorption that ensures your feet are not aching after a day of sightseeing.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But with the integration of AI comes hesitation and fears of job loss, privacy breaches and misinformation.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
-
This cycle converts hesitation into purchase and builds loyalty, all without human intervention.—
Charisma Glassman,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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