1
as in wrenching
intensely or unbearably painful
he finally visited the doctor when the pain became too excruciating to ignore
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2
as in searing
difficult to endure
the excruciating heat that the settlers faced as they crossed the deserts of the Southwest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
most excruciating of all was the endless wait for news of any survivors of the plane crash
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4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the excruciating grief they felt upon the loss of their dear grandfather
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as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of excruciating
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
So doing press, talking about myself — it’s been excruciating.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
After two years…of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy, of surgery, excruciating pain, the incredible amount of prescription drugs, and all the fervent prayers, my incredible, loving wife succumbed to the aggressive HER2 Triple-Negative breast cancer.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
Adolescence examines, in almost excruciating detail, a parent’s worst nightmare.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excruciating
Adjective
My cancer had invaded my bones, causing excruciating pain.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
So doing press, talking about myself — it’s been excruciating.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
After two years…of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy, of surgery, excruciating pain, the incredible amount of prescription drugs, and all the fervent prayers, my incredible, loving wife succumbed to the aggressive HER2 Triple-Negative breast cancer.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025
Adolescence examines, in almost excruciating detail, a parent’s worst nightmare.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excruciating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excruciating
Adjective
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Caminero, who was hitless in his previous 17 at-bats, led off with a searing homer to left-center, hit at 109.2 mph and carrying 409 feet.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2025
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Dad can whip up incredible meals with cookware that offers the searing power of stainless steel and the easy cleanup of nonstick.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The film—told through Fox’s home video recordings before and during his time in prison, and original footage—chronicled their family’s life during this painful period.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
16 June 2025
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In particular, three symptoms—vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and increased urinary tract infections, hot flashes, and sleep quality—often emerge as particularly severe for breast cancer patients.—
Chloe Castleberry,
Flow Space,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Recognizing that gulf is a sad thing for her, and Huston holds Anderson’s intense close-ups with an expression both loving and rueful at once. 40.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
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The faction's power grew with the shocking debut of Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family known for his intense and destructive style in other promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Included in that torturous run was a 24-game losing streak.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
1 June 2025
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Jenkins wants to retire to focus on her health, leaving a legacy of having led her community through a torturous time.—
Curtis Bunn,
NBC news,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Some of them include washing with harsh shampoos, particularly those with sulfates or alcohol; overusing scalp scrubs or clarifying products; and not washing frequently enough.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
16 June 2025
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Unlike many traditional sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate—two common culprits behind coral bleaching—reef-safe formulas skip the harsh stuff in favor of ocean-friendly alternatives that tend to also be gentler on sensitive skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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University of Southern California LOS ANGELES Inspired by Walt Disney artist and Imagineer John C. Hench, USC’s intensive BFA and MFA programs teach animation from a maker’s point of view.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2025
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One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excruciating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excruciating. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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