1
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
agonizing cries rose up from the dungeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
died an agonizing death
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in suffering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indecision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonizing
Shlomo Mor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
The most concrete result of therapy has been Milena’s acknowledgment that childbirth was an agonizing experience; her slow-burning resentment of the ungrateful twins has been building ever since.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
The organizers said that choice can save event volunteers an agonizing wait at U.S. Customs.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
After 19 days of agonizing wait, David returns with no memories of what’s happened to him.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Adjective
In the Palestinian enclave, civilians in the central and southern part of the Gaza Strip hoping to return to the remnants of their home in the battered north faced an agonizing wait.
—Shlomo Mor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
The most concrete result of therapy has been Milena’s acknowledgment that childbirth was an agonizing experience; her slow-burning resentment of the ungrateful twins has been building ever since.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
The organizers said that choice can save event volunteers an agonizing wait at U.S. Customs.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
After 19 days of agonizing wait, David returns with no memories of what’s happened to him.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Throughout her childhood, Dee Dee subjected her Gypsy-Rose to years of painful medical procedures that were not needed.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Whether a client hires a single architect to design a house or a team to work on a downtown plan with multiple community stakeholders, the architect-client relationship is rarely one of a painful struggle.—
Matt Shaw,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Biden administration publicly stressed the need to alleviate human suffering in Gaza, while continuing to be Israel’s top supplier of military aid.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Her knockout performance carries The Substance, propelled by visceral desperation, rage and cruel suffering.—
Scott Feinberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Devaney added that a deputy district attorney contacted her by phone earlier this month about the City Council’s indecision following the sudden resignation last September of Councilmember Dwight Worden, who announced he had been hospitalized with a small stroke and wanted to focus on his health.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The mental load of juggling too many tasks can lead to procrastination, indecision and even burnout.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Ward, 28, missed four games while grieving her death.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
29 Dec. 2024
-
The Christmas Eve shooting also devastated the still-grieving Oxford community, where a teenage gunman went on a rampage at Oxford High School in November 2021, killing four classmates and seven others, including a teacher.—
Tresa Baldas,
Detroit Free Press,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Her lyric vocal writing contends with harsh reality, but her style is never far from profound rapture.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The 79-year-old Oscar winner embraces the challenging role of the Dutton family matriarch alongside co-star Harrison Ford, confronting everything from mountain lions to the harsh realities of frontier life.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Lombardi is more Holy Grail than trophy, the end of what can only be described as a torturous emotional pilgrimage.—
Ali Watkins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Getting rid of the death penalty also would bring a close to these torturous years of appeals for so many of us.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Taking small steps toward dating and being open to new experiences can help break the cycle of hesitation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But as the weeks passed, Minnie's initial hesitation turned into affection.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The imagery of The Pink Opaque’s Midnight Realm is frightening, but the potent themes and aching nostalgia are what will keep you up at night.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2024
-
Risotto, in other words, is governed by a set of laws that are rooted in tradition, rich in common sense, and aching to be broken or bent.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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