WordGarden.ioagonizingly
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈæɡəˌnaɪzɪŋˌli/
Meanings
Adverb
to an unbearably intense or uncomfortable degree
with intense pain, anguish, or distress
Beyond the definition
Imagine waiting for news about a loved one after an accident. The minutes stretch on agonizingly, each second feeling like an hour filled with worry and dread. "Agonizingly" doesn't just mean something is difficult; it implies that it involves intense physical or emotional pain, often as if it's happening very slowly. It describes experiences that are deeply unpleasant and drawn out. You might describe a slow recovery from illness as agonizingly slow, or the process of making a difficult decision as agonizingly difficult. The word hints at a struggle, a torment, and a desperate desire for relief.
"Agonizingly" is an adverb that intensifies the feeling of pain, suffering, or difficulty. It comes from the word "agony," which refers to extreme physical or mental distress. So when something happens agonizingly, it's not just hard—it's excruciatingly so.
Think about a runner in a marathon who is pushing their body to its absolute limit. They might run agonizingly slowly in the final stretch, each step a battle against exhaustion and pain. Or consider a detective painstakingly piecing together clues in a complex case; they might progress agonizingly slowly, scrutinizing every detail for a breakthrough.
The word often implies a prolonged experience of suffering. A wound might heal agonizingly slowly, or a difficult truth might sink in agonizingly slowly. It's not just about the intensity of the pain, but also its duration and the feeling of being trapped in it.
You'll find "agonizingly" used to describe both physical and emotional experiences. A waiting period might feel agonizingly long to a child waiting for their parents to arrive, or a writer might struggle agonizingly to find the right words. It's a powerful word that conveys a deep sense of suffering and the slow passage of time when you're in pain.
It can also describe frustration and suspense when something is almost within reach: you might be agonizingly close to winning, yet still not quite there.
So, if something is happening with intense difficulty and prolonged discomfort, chances are it's unfolding agonizingly.
Examples
- 1
Travel delay
The line at the airport moved agonizingly slowly.
- 2
Exam results
The wait for the exam results felt agonizingly long.
- 3
Sports near miss
The team came agonizingly close to equalizing in the final minute.
- Patternagonizingly close to + goal/result
almost achieving it, but in a very frustrating way
- 4
Emotional honesty
Her goodbye letter was agonizingly honest.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Awkward silence
The silence after his joke was agonizingly awkward.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- gruelingly
- harrowingly
- unbearably
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- agonizingly slow
- agonizingly painful
- agonizingly close
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- agonizinglyadverb