Excruciating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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excruciating
[ɪkˈskruːʃiˌeɪtɪŋ ]
Definitions
painful
Causing intense physical or mental suffering; agonizing. Causing great pain or anguish.
Synonyms
agonizing, painful, torturous, unbearable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| excruciating |
Often used to describe severe physical pain or an emotionally painful situation.
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| agonizing |
Typically used for situations involving intense physical or emotional suffering.
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| torturous |
Implies a situation that feels like torture, either physically or emotionally. Often has a negative connotation.
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| painful |
Generic term for any type of physical discomfort or emotional distress.
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| unbearable |
Used when a situation, pain, or emotion is too intense to be tolerated.
|
Examples of usage
- The excruciating pain shot through his body.
- The excruciating wait for the test results was unbearable.
- The excruciating screams could be heard from miles away.
extremely intense
Intensely painful or agonizing; extreme in degree or intensity.
Synonyms
acute, extreme, intense, severe.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| excruciating |
Used to describe something extremely painful or unbearable, often physical pain.
|
| intense |
Used to describe something that is very strong, often referring to emotions, activities, or sensations.
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| extreme |
Used to describe conditions or feelings that are at the highest degree, often pushing the limits of what is normal.
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| severe |
Used to describe something that is very serious, harsh, or strong, can refer to both negative situations and medical conditions.
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| acute |
Used to describe something sharp, intense, and severe in effect, often suddenly and to a high degree, not limited to pain.
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Examples of usage
- The excruciating heat of the desert was overwhelming.
- The excruciating beauty of the sunset left us speechless.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Experiencing excruciating pain can lead to psychological effects, such as anxiety or depression, due to the body's response to stress.
- Chronic pain sufferers often report that their pain can feel excruciating, affecting their everyday emotional state and mental health.
Literature
- In literature, characters often describe their emotional pain as excruciating to express deep suffering or heartbreak.
- Writers commonly use the term to convey a vivid sense of struggle, making the reader feel empathy towards the character's experiences.
Medicine
- Medically, excruciating pain can be a symptom of various conditions, indicating the need for urgent medical attention.
- Patients in acute pain may use the word excruciating to describe their experience to healthcare professionals to communicate the severity.
Pop Culture
- In movies and shows, characters often scream 'this is excruciating!' during intense situations to emphasize their physical or emotional turmoil.
- Stand-up comedians sometimes play with the word to exaggerate minor inconveniences, adding humor to the concept of pain.
Origin of 'excruciating'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'excruciare', meaning 'to torment' or 'to crucify', indicating extreme pain.
- In medieval times, the term was often used in the context of torture, emphasizing its connection to severe suffering.
The word 'excruciating' originated from the Latin word 'excruciare', which means 'to torture'. It was first used in English in the early 17th century. The term was initially associated with physical pain but later expanded to include mental anguish as well. Over time, 'excruciating' has become a commonly used adjective to describe intense suffering or extreme discomfort.