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
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
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
In the documentary series, victims' families recall the day of the accident and the agonizing wait to identify the bodies.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Bear markets can be agonizing, but overall, markets are positive more often than not.
—Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
But most of the buzz centers on the will-they-won’t-they romance of Staten (Duhamel) and Quinn (Kelly), who is agonizing over whether to leave Texas behind to pursue her musical dreams in New York.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Adjective
Both Daniel and Russ offer agonizing testimony—awful life-or-death stuff—and both deserve anonymity.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
In the documentary series, victims' families recall the day of the accident and the agonizing wait to identify the bodies.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Bear markets can be agonizing, but overall, markets are positive more often than not.
—Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
But most of the buzz centers on the will-they-won’t-they romance of Staten (Duhamel) and Quinn (Kelly), who is agonizing over whether to leave Texas behind to pursue her musical dreams in New York.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonizing
Adjective
-
Their boyfriends, meanwhile, suffer the painful indignities of paper cutters, buzzsaws, and other sharp objects.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Ornstein: United were budgeting for no European football next season, Joseph, and therefore last night would have been extremely painful but not a complete shock.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
There’s a qualitative lift that AI cannot calculate: the measurement of suffering, the nuance of regret, the texture of hope.—
Sanjay Juneja,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Henstridge stars as a woman looking for an end to her suffering, who checks into the House of Abraham, home to a mysterious cult that promises a way out.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead, even after Democrats realized Biden’s campaign couldn’t continue, the party faced nearly a month of indecision.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
17 May 2025
-
This moment of indecision allows Palacios to find Wirtz with space to carry the ball.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
-
Though Nicole reserves her harshest jabs for Jorgeous, the real heat is between Tina and Mistress.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Padilla had harsh comments for the president and the GOP in a statement Thursday after the House vote.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
In court proceedings in the years to follow, many of Gabriel’s family members, including his siblings Virginia and Ezequiel, testified about the torturous abuse the child experienced at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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Smith's lawyers filed a lawsuit along with eight other death row inmates challenge Tennessee’s new protocol, saying there is a high risk of torturous death.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Lionel says yes, and before more than a few moments go by the two have tumbled into bed, without fear or hesitation.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2025
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That’s where the Oracle of Omaha’s other main hesitation with real estate factors in: Buying property is often a hassle.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
21 May 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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Agonizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonizing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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