adj

agonizing

AG-uh-neye-zihng

adj

Causing severe physical or mental pain.

"She let out an agonizing scream after twisting her ankle."

"It was an agonizing decision to make."

How to Use Agonizing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo painful — physically or emotionally — that it feels almost unbearable.

UK vs US

British English also spells it "agonising."

Common pairings

agonizing pain agonizing wait agonizing decision

more agonizing comparative, agonizings plural, most agonizing superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

She let out an _____ scream after twisting her ankle.

pleasant pleasing

good beautiful nice ugly painful mild tight pleasant

sizing seizing appetizing organizing downsizing memorizing vocalizing socializing tantalizing apologizing mesmerizing patronizing

pleasant pleasing good beautiful nice ugly painful mild tight