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 suffering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in indecision
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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
Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
Andreeva decided to turn pro after losing an agonizing Australian Open girls final two years ago.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Her release brought indescribable relief, but each day before her name appeared on the list revealed the agonizing uncertainty families must endure.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
And through it all, Carnesecca was a swirling, kinetic presence on the sidelines, arms flailing, legs kicking, shirttails flying, all 5-foot-6 of him curled in exasperation over a missed shot or agonizing call.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agonizing 
Adjective
Whannell opts to go the practical route, using prosthetics and other on-camera devices to simulate Blake’s agonizing mutation, but errs on the side of realism, with its infected father sweating up a storm before gnawing his arm with those sharp new canines of his.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
Andreeva decided to turn pro after losing an agonizing Australian Open girls final two years ago.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Her release brought indescribable relief, but each day before her name appeared on the list revealed the agonizing uncertainty families must endure.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
And through it all, Carnesecca was a swirling, kinetic presence on the sidelines, arms flailing, legs kicking, shirttails flying, all 5-foot-6 of him curled in exasperation over a missed shot or agonizing call.
—Mike Fitzpatrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
The Spanish government is moving to rein in real estate purchases by foreigners and curb the spread of short-term rentals, part of a series of measures that officials say are necessary to alleviate a painful housing crunch that has rapidly become one of the worst in Europe.—
Liz Alderman,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Trump also makes clear his intent to apply painful public and government pressure on private-sector DEI practices as well, and does not cloak his reasons.—
The Editors,
National Review,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The kidnapping, and subsequent years of physical and verbal abuse, made McCrae an intimate of suffering.—
Elisa Gonzalez,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The lawsuit over Bryan’s death seeks more than $50,000 in damages for loss of companionship and protection, mental pain and suffering, funeral expenses, medical expenses and more, the complaint shows.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, that indecision set the USWNT up for failure at that World Cup 18 months ago, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Charming and cooperative, Libras are mediators at heart, but their desire to keep the peace can also lead to indecision and people-pleasing tendencies.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
27 Sep. 2024
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
-
Avoid harsh or irritating products such as hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) or retinoids.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 Jan. 2025
-
So, if the Dodgers transition from the team that was unable to win it in a 162-game regular season to a dynasty similar to the Yankees dynasty, then the complaints of harsher regulations against the Dodgers may be warranted.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Editor’s picks ‘Brutal beatings’ Cooper and hundreds of Dozier students accused school wardens of torturous abuse over minor infractions, like whippings, beatings, forced labor, and medical neglect.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
15 Dec. 2024
-
Minuscule, meticulous, torturous, and incomprehensible to most mortals.—
Jean-Philippe Toussaint,
Harper's Magazine,
22 July 2024
Noun
-
This hesitation could mean pharmaceutical companies are missing out on a major opportunity to connect with viewers, according to a new analysis by the TV outcomes firm EDO.—
Bruce Gil,
Quartz,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Fran: One of the bigger stories out of this year’s Sundance has been distributors’ hesitation — whether due to lingering effects of the fires or buyers’ skepticism or some combination — to buy up the stronger films at the festival.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near agonizing
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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