excruciating

[ ik-skroo-shee-ey-ting ]

adjective

1. extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing: excruciating pain.

   an excruciating noise;

   excruciating pain.

   Synonyms: unendurable, racking, agonizing, insufferable, unbearable

2. exceedingly elaborate or intense; extreme:

   done with excruciating care.

excruciating

/ ɪkˈskruːʃɪˌeɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. unbearably painful; agonizing
2. intense; extreme

   he took excruciating pains to do it well

3. informal.
   irritating; trying
4. humorous.
   very bad

   an excruciating pun

Derived Forms

• exˈcruciˌatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·cruci·ating·ly adverb
• unex·cruci·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excruciating¹

First recorded in 1655–65; excruciat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The former sports TV presenter is allergic to opioid painkillers and says she worries her condition may one day leave her in excruciating pain, with no legal way of ending her suffering on her own terms.

From BBC

For Jen, waiving her anonymity on BBC Breakfast two months ago was excruciating in the moment.

From BBC

Mr O'Hara said he immediately felt an "excruciating pain" but his visitor told him that was a normal reaction, then left in a hurry.

From BBC

When it started, the chemotherapy was "excruciating".

From BBC

Biden was obviously very resistant to taking this step—and he might well still be in the race today if not for one particular stretch of excruciating dead air during his June 27 debate with Donald Trump.

From Slate

Related Words

• acute
• agonizing
• exquisite
• grueling
• harrowing
• intense
• searing
• severe
• unbearable