agonizing

adjective

ag·​o·​niz·​ing ˈa-gə-ˌnī-ziŋ How to pronounce agonizing (audio)
: causing agony
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
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.
This was spelled out by the 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans, which also conceded that such reform would be agonizing. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 For too many of us, the death penalty has only prolonged an already agonizing experience with a lengthy process that leaves us with more pain, despair, and isolation. Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 No one would usually dare to touch these hives as the bee attacks are brutal and strings acutely agonizing. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024 Not knowing the reason behind their family’s separation is agonizing. Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agonizing 

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of agonize

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of agonizing was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near agonizing

Cite this Entry

“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonizing. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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