Excruciate: meaning, definitions and examples

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excruciate

[ɪkˈskruːʃɪeɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in pain

Cause someone to suffer severe physical or mental pain. The word 'excruciate' is often used to describe extreme agony or torture.

Synonyms

agonize, torment, torture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
excruciate	This term is typically used to describe intense, severe physical or mental pain. It is often found in medical or highly dramatic contexts. The migraine excruciated him for hours. The memory of the accident continues to excruciate her.
torture	Torture is often associated with the deliberate infliction of severe physical pain or cruel treatment, typically for punishment, revenge, or interrogation. It has a strong negative connotation. Prisoners were subjected to acts of brutal torture. The suspense was like a form of mental torture.
torment	Torment can describe both physical and mental pain, often implying a prolonged or repeated suffering. It can also suggest emotional distress caused by others, as well as self-inflicted mental anguish. The relentless bullying tormented him throughout his childhood. She was tormented by regret and guilt.
agonize	This word is usually used to describe mental pain or extreme worry, often over a difficult decision or situation. It conveys a sense of ongoing, intense emotional suffering. She agonized over the decision for days. He couldn't help but agonize about the safety of his family.

Examples of usage

They were excruciated by the unbearable heat.
The memories of that day still excruciate him.
The pain was excruciating, making it hard to focus on anything else.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

figurative

To torment mentally or emotionally. This usage of 'excruciate' refers to causing intense emotional distress or anguish.

Synonyms

anguish, distress, torment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
excruciate	This word is used when referring to something causing intense physical or mental pain. It is typically used in extreme situations where the pain or suffering is incredibly severe. The injury excruciated him, leaving him in constant agony. The betrayal by her closest friend excruciated her emotionally.
torment	This word implies ongoing or repeated pain and suffering, whether physical or emotional. It often has a connotation of cruelty or malicious infliction. The hostage was tormented by his captors for days. He was tormented by guilt over his past mistakes.
anguish	This term is often used to describe a state of severe mental or emotional suffering. It can also be used in physical contexts but is more common in psychological contexts. She felt deep anguish after the loss of her pet. The decision caused him great anguish, as both options seemed equally painful.
distress	This word is used in situations involving anxiety, sorrow, or pain. It can refer to both physical and emotional states, usually indicating a less intense suffering than 'excruciate' or 'anguish'. The news of the accident put her in a state of distress. He signaled for help, clearly in distress.

Examples of usage

The guilt of his actions excruciated him every day.
Her words were meant to excruciate him, to make him feel the pain she felt.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'excruciare', meaning to torment or torture.
Literally, it combines 'ex-' which means 'out of' and 'crux' referring to a cross, portraying extreme suffering.
It has undergone changes in its use over time, evolving from a specific reference to physical pain to also describe emotional distress.

Psychology

People can feel mental anguish that is just as intense as physical pain, showing the deep connection between mind and body.
Chronic pain conditions can lead to feelings of hopelessness, where one might describe their suffering as excruciating.
Coping mechanisms for pain often include mindfulness and therapy, aiming to lessen the feeling of excruciation.

Literature

Writers often use the term to describe characters in distress, vividly portraying their emotional and physical struggles.
It appears in many classic works, illustrating the depths of human suffering, such as in Dante’s 'Inferno'.
The term can evoke strong imagery, leading readers to empathize deeply with characters' experiences.

Medical Science

In a medical context, pain rated as excruciating typically indicates a level of severity that requires immediate attention.
Understanding pain thresholds varies widely between individuals, making the experience highly subjective.
Healthcare professionals use scales to help patients describe their pain accurately, including terms like 'excruciating' to gauge intensity.

Pop Culture

The term is often used in movies and books to emphasize the pain endured by characters, heightening drama.
Songs and lyrics frequently reference excruciating experiences, creating deep emotional connections with audiences.
In comedy, ironic usage of the word can create humor, juxtaposing the seriousness of the term with trivial situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "excruciate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 torturar

🇮🇳 यातना देना

🇩🇪 quälen

🇮🇩 menyiksa

🇺🇦 катувати

🇵🇱 dręczyć

🇯🇵 苦しめる

🇫🇷 torturer

🇪🇸 torturar

🇹🇷 işkence etmek

🇰🇷 고문하다

🇸🇦 يعذب

🇨🇿 mučit

🇸🇰 mučiť

🇨🇳 折磨 (zhé mó)

🇸🇮 mučiti

🇮🇸 pínta

🇰🇿 азаптау

🇬🇪 წამება

🇦🇿 işgəncə vermək

🇲🇽 torturar