agonizing

[ ag-uh-nahy-zing ]

adjective

1. accompanied by, filled with, or resulting in agony or distress:

   We spent an agonizing hour waiting to hear if the accident had been serious or not.

Other Words From

• ago·nizing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonizing¹

First recorded in 1660–70; agonize + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It’s been nearly a week since election day, and California is still counting ballots, imposing an agonizing wait on a nation wondering who will lead the next U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

‘It is truly agonizing to watch the world turn against my son so quickly,’ she says.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is truly agonizing to watch the world turn against my son so quickly and easily over lies and misconceptions, without ever hearing his side or affording him the opportunity to present his side," she said, adding that she believed some of his accusers were motivated by money.

From BBC

She also developed an agonizing sensitivity to light.

From Los Angeles Times

“The next person in Anna’s situation will face an agonizing choice of risking a multi-hour drive to another hospital or waiting until they are close enough to death for Providence to intervene,” Bonta said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excruciating
• harrowing
• intense
• tortuous