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Agonizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜–
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agonizing

[หˆaษกษ™หŒnสŒษชzษชล‹ ]

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?

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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?

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'agonizing'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'agonizing' has its origins in the late 16th century, derived from the Greek word 'agonizesthai' meaning 'to struggle'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of intense physical or mental pain, distress, or torment. The usage of 'agonizing' has continued to convey the concept of extreme suffering or anguish in various contexts, reflecting the human experience of enduring intense pain or distress.

See also: agonizingly.

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.