Agonizing: meaning, definitions and examples

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agonizing

[ˈaɡəˌnʌɪzɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or causing extreme physical or mental pain

Causing great physical or mental pain; agonizing. The agonizing screams of the wounded soldiers echoed through the battlefield. She was in agonizing pain after the accident.

Synonyms

excruciating, harrowing, painful, torturous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
agonizing	Used to describe something causing great physical or emotional pain, often with a sense of prolonged suffering. The wait for the test results was agonizing She felt an agonizing pain in her chest
painful	General term for something causing physical or emotional pain, less intense than 'excruciating' or 'agonizing'. She found the breakup painful It was a painful injury that took weeks to heal
excruciating	Best for extremely intense pain or discomfort, usually in a physical sense. He experienced excruciating back pain The headache was excruciating and lasted for hours
torturous	Describes something extremely painful and distressing, often implying a prolonged or intense experience. Can have a negative connotation. The torturous route through the mountains tested their endurance His recovery from surgery was a torturous process
harrowing	Refers to something very distressing or traumatic, often emotionally difficult. The survivors shared harrowing stories of the disaster It was a harrowing experience watching the accident unfold

Examples of usage

The agonizing wait for the test results was unbearable.
The decision to end the relationship was agonizing for both of them.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

intensely distressing or painful

Intensely distressing or painful. The agonizing decision to put her dog to sleep was heartbreaking. The agonizing memories of the past haunted him.

Synonyms

distressing, heartbreaking, painful, traumatic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
agonizing	Used to describe something extremely painful or causing great physical or mental suffering. The wait for the test results was agonizing The athlete's injury was agonizing, and he couldn't continue the game
distressing	Describes a situation or event that causes anxiety, sorrow, or pain. Watching the news about the disaster was distressing It was distressing to see so many people affected by the hurricane
heartbreaking	Used to describe something that causes extreme emotional suffering or sadness, often related to loss or disappointment. The movie's ending was heartbreaking The story of the abandoned puppy was truly heartbreaking
painful	Refers to something that causes physical pain or discomfort, but can also describe emotional pain to a lesser degree than 'agonizing' or 'heartbreaking'. The cut on his hand was painful It was painful to hear about her tragic past
traumatic	Used for experiences that cause severe emotional or psychological shock and distress, often associated with lasting impact. The car accident was a traumatic event for the survivors His childhood was marked by traumatic experiences

Examples of usage

The agonizing truth slowly emerged, causing turmoil within the family.
The agonizing process of healing took time and patience.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Greek 'agonia,' which means 'struggle' or 'contest'.
In ancient Greece, 'agon' referred not just to physical battles but also to any challenge or struggle, influencing its modern use.

Psychology

Experiencing prolonged emotional distress can lead to psychological conditions such as chronic anxiety and depression.
People often describe feelings of intense emotional pain as 'agonizing', correlating it with moments of grief or loss.

Literature

Many literary works explore themes of agony, depicting deep emotional or physical suffering that characters endure.
Famous authors like Dostoevsky and Kafka have used the concept of agony to illustrate the tension between personal desires and societal expectations.

Health

In medicine, agonizing pain is often a critical symptom that demands immediate attention, highlighting the body's distress.
Chronic pain conditions can create an ongoing state of suffering, drastically affecting a person's quality of life.

Pop Culture

Songs about heartbreak often describe feelings as agonizing, resonating with listeners who relate to emotional pain.
Movies frequently depict characters in agonizing situations to build tension and connect with audiences on a deeper level.

Translations

Translations of the word "agonizing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agonizante

🇮🇳 पीड़ादायक

🇩🇪 qualvoll

🇮🇩 menyiksa

🇺🇦 болісний

🇵🇱 bolesny

🇯🇵 苦しい

🇫🇷 agonisant

🇪🇸 agonizante

🇹🇷 acılı

🇰🇷 고통스러운

🇸🇦 مؤلم

🇨🇿 mučivý

🇸🇰 mučivý

🇨🇳 痛苦的

🇸🇮 mučen

🇮🇸 sársaukafullur

🇰🇿 азапты

🇬🇪 მტანჯველი

🇦🇿 əziyyətli

🇲🇽 agonizante

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,696, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18693 hypoglycemia
18694 rascal
18695 decipher
18696 agonizing
18697 lustrous
18698 unceasing
18699 paramagnetic
...